Whitecaps struggle to contain Galaxy star power

Falling 3-0 to the defending MLS Cup champions on Saturday, the Vancouver Whitecaps looked well off the pace, conceding three goals in the opening half.

Sometimes, it’s as simple as one team plays so well that the losing side doesn’t really have a choice in the matter.

That seemed to be the take of Vancouver Whitecaps head coach Martin Rennie on Saturday following his side’s 3-0 defeat to the LA Galaxy at the Home Depot Center.

“Whenever you lose you do have to look at yourself and you’re disappointed with things that of course you could have done better,” head coach Martin Rennie told Vancouver radio station TEAM 1410 following the match. “But tonight the LA Galaxy were really good, especially [Landon] Donovan and [Robbie] Keane were really, really difficult to play against. Their movement, their quality really stood out. Their midfield’s passing and movement was of a really high standard.

“Just being absolutely honest that’s the best 45 minutes any team has put against since I’ve been in MLS.”

Scoring all three of their goals within the first half, the Galaxy took the lead through Mike Magee in the 16th minute before Keane doubled the home side’s advantage 14 minutes later.

Donovan rounded out the scoring from the penalty spot after Keane earned the penalty by taking a shot which Jay DeMerit illegally blocked with his arm.

“Robbie Keane has just come back from playing against the best players in the world,” Rennie said. “Only a few days ago in the [European Championships with the Republic of Ireland]. His movement and his link up play, along with the penetration of Donovan and the other players that were around him were just very difficult to play against.”

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It was difficult to tell whether the Galaxy were playing top stuff or if Vancouver’s sluggish start flattered LA, but as that half went on, and the defending MLS Cup champions piled on the pressure, it became apparent that even at 3-0, the Whitecaps were lucky the beating wasn’t more severe.

“[In the first half] I can’t remember a hard tackle or someone taking the initiative to maybe change the complexion of the game,” goalkeeper Joe Cannon said. “It’s a loss. Hopefully some guys got some autographs tonight, because that might be the only thing you got out of it.”