After seeing LA beat Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Wednesday, I wasn’t so worried for this game. I knew I shouldn’t underestimate the Vancouver Whitecaps, but I had a feeling the LA of 2011 would be playing, and not the LA of early 2012.

LA were currently on a 2 game winning streak and were playing their 3rd game in one week. There were two players I was worried about in Vancouver Whitecaps- Sebastian Le Toux and Eric Hassli. Both of these players are great goal scorers and I knew our defenders would have a tough time with them. Whitecaps also has a really good keeper, Joe Cannon, who is a former LA Galaxy player.

LA got off to a good start. Early on in the game, David Beckham took a corner kick, and Juninho tried to head the ball in. His shot was blocked.  Landon Donovan and David Junior Lopes both tried scoring, but their shorts were also blocked.  Finally, Mike Magee took advantage of the chaos near the box and scored LA’s first goal in the 16th minute.  LA was in control for the rest of the first half.. Robbie Keane, who was back from playing in the Euro with his national team Ireland, doubled LA’s lead in the 30th minute. Keane celebrated his goal with a classy gesture, he held up a jersey that read ” RIP James Nolan” in honor of the Irish fan who went missing in Poland.

LA was now up 2-0. It was almost HT, when Keane, who was running towards the goal, kicked the ball and the ball ended up hitting Whitecaps’ defender Jay DeMerit hand/arm and LA was awarded a penalty. The captain stepped up to take it, sent Cannon the wrong way, and he scored. It was 3-0 at HT. The second half was more quiet for LA, although they did have a few chances. Vancouver started attacking more and Josh Saunders made his best saves of the night. But the score would remain 3-0 at the whistle.

LA is now on a 3 game winning streak. Nine points in 3 games within 1 week. This has helped LA move up to the fifth spot.  Next week is the California Clasico, the game against their northern California rivals, San Jose Earthquakes. This is a game LA will definitely want to win. Not only because it’s against their biggest rivals, but also because of the last time these two played. It took place at the Home Depot Center last month, and LA led 2 goals to nil with 20 minutes left in the game. However, SJ scored 3  goals and to the disappointment of LA fans, went on to win the match and take all 3 points.

Photo courtesy of LA Galaxy’s official Web site.