LA Galaxy inch closer to top of MLS Western Conference

Carson, CA -- On Saturday night, the Vancouver Whitecaps visited the Home Depot Center hoping to catch the LA Galaxy in the Western Conference standings. The Galaxy sat on 40 points entering the game, while the Whitecaps were at 37 points. The second and third spots in the standings belonged to Real Salt Lake and Seattle, respectively.

As the game began, David Beckham took a free-kick in the 4th minute that Whitecaps' goalkeeper Brad Knighton saved. In fact, the Vancouver defense proved reliable throughout the first half except for an apparent Robbie Keane goal in the 32nd minute that was nullified by a questionable offsides call.

However, in the 41st minute of play, Juninho scored against the Whitecaps with an amazing shot that was close to impossible to save. Keane laid the ball off to Juninho, who was unmarked from about 25 yards away. Juninho laced the ball towards goal, swerving it away from Knighton and finding the upper corner.

In the second half, the Galaxy were again the team on the offensive attack as Keane had a diagonal shot on goal from within the box that Knighton saved. LA would continue to force the action with follow-up crosses and shots, but the game would stay at 1-0.

Although the Whitecaps never really threatened the Galaxy in this game, they hung around with a chance to earn a draw as the game drew to a close.

In the 79th minute, however, the Galaxy earned a free-kick, and as usual, the world's best known free-kick taker stepped up. With the Vancouver defense switching formations in order to create confusion, Beckham made it look like a practice shot, as he bent the ball over the wall and over the Whitecaps defenders' heads, tucking the ball into the top corner for a 2-0 win.

Next for the LA Galaxy, after some time to recuperate, train, and enjoy a break in the schedule from any game action, is a home matchup with the Colorado Rapids next Friday night.

By Brian Kowalski
Staff Reporter for TheDailySportsHerald.com