LA Galaxy comfortably defeat Vancouver Whitecaps 2-0

A beautiful Robbie Keane curler was enough for LA the Galaxy took care of the Vancouver Whitecaps 2-0 on the fourth of July in front of an overflow crowd of 27,161 at the StubHub Center.

#LAGalaxy XI: Rowe, DLG, Steres, Leonardo, Romney; De Jong, Larentowicz; Dos Santos, Gerrard, Zardes; Keane #LAvVAN pic.twitter.com/XDtv1ssYI4

— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) July 5, 2016

Early in the match, Brian Rowe was fortunate when his clearance under pressure from Erik Hurtado dangerously richoched off the Vancouver forward, but the ball went wide of the goal. 

And in just the 12th minute, LA went ahead. Steven Gerrard quickly shuffled the ball to Keane from the midfield, and with time and space, Keane had time to pick out the right corner and curl an unstoppable finish past a beleaguered David Ousted.

Early fireworks. https://t.co/j0lmvQ2na5 #LAvVAN pic.twitter.com/wMsXqy2n6a

— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) July 5, 2016

LA suffered another scare a few minutes later when Andrew Jacobson easily re-directed a header past Rowe off a free kick, but he was whistled offsides.

Vanocuver had their chances but never really threatened the Galaxy goal. LA doubled their lead in the 47th minute when Jeff Larentowicz beat Tim Parker to a Steven Gerrard corner kick and powerfully headed past Ousted.

BIG goal from BIG RED. https://t.co/j0lmvQ2na5 #LAvVAN pic.twitter.com/tayVnpvsbw

— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) July 5, 2016

Not that the game was without controversy. Nigel de Jong was issued a straight red for an ill-advised challenge late on Blas Perez, and shortly afterwards a fan invaded the pitch, but in the end it was a comfortable win from the blue white and gold.

Next Saturday LA head up to Seattle to battle the Sounders.