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Keane and Zardes return as LA Galaxy beat Whitecaps

There were fireworks on and off the field on U.S. Independence Day at StubHub Center where the LA Galaxy dazzled in a 2-0 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps in an important Western Conference showdown for both sides.

The Galaxy returned from Portland, Oregon, where the five-time MLS champions beat the Portland Timbers 1-0 to clinch berth into the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal.

Getting back into MLS play, the Galaxy received a roster boost as captain Robbie Keane and Gyasi Zardes returned from international duty with Ireland in the European Championships and the U.S. at the Copa America respectively. Both players started for Bruce Arena’s side, which was a milestone 100th appearance for Zardes in MLS, but the big lineup story was the backline. The Galaxy’s defense was without Jelle van Damme and Ashley Cole after both players were suspended during the match against the San Jose Earthquakes at Stanford Stadium on June 25.

Dave Romney was given the start at right back while Leonardo lined up at center back with Daniel Steres, pushing AJ Delagarza to right back. The defense for LA would have to keep a close eye on Pedro Morales, Christian Bolanos and Erik Hurtado, who pose the biggest threat on paper barring Kekuta Manneh who sat out due to a “coach’s decision.”

Prior to the game, a Fourth of July aerial show featuring the Galaxy’s mascot Cozmo, parachuted into the stadium to get the crowd ready for the match.

The Galaxy came out flying in the first few minutes of the match, playing with a calmness in the attacking half. Vancouver had the closest chance early on after a wild back-pass from Leonardo forced Rowe into a heavy touch, which the goalkeeper nearly cleared off Morales and into LA’s net.

The Galaxy got on the board early through the captain himself. Robbie Keane received the ball near the Whitecaps’ box, cut inside, looked up and curled a gorgeous strike into the top left corner of David Ousted’s net. Gerrard, who assisted Keane’s goal, earned his ninth assist in his 25 MLS appearances.

Keane was pleased to score after coming back from the international break.

“I get paid to score goals…if you don’t shoot, you don’t score. As soon as Stevie (Gerrard) gets the ball then I know exactly where to go,” Keane said following the game. “Sometimes they go in and sometimes they don’t, and tonight it went in.”

Welcome back Robbie!

Keano with the stunner to put @LAGalaxy in front. #LAvVAN https://t.co/gKJ2IjssRZ

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 5, 2016

The impact of having Zardes and Keane back in the lineup showed as the team had a faster tempo and showed more urgency compared to recent matches without the two stars. The Galaxy had confident composure on the ball, especially in the center of the field through Larentowicz.

At halftime, the LA Galaxy led 1-0 through Keane’s goal, but the Whitecaps still looked dangerous as Hurtado fired two promising volleys over the crossbar.

The Galaxy quickly got the game going at the start of the second half, earning two corner kicks in a matter of 90 seconds. The second corner, an outswinger from Steven Gerrard (now his 10th assist in 25 MLS appearances), found Larentowicz in the box to head home the Galaxy’s second goal of the night to double their lead.

Larentowicz appeared to push off a defender to get open for the header, and admitted to the foul saying,

“It came over his head, I think I got away with a push…I got away with a push.”

The Galaxy began to open up Vancouver’s defense more, getting chances to shoot from outside the box. The second goal certainly helped the Galaxy get comfortable throughout the field, even giving the defense an essence of calmness.

In the 74th minute, De Jong slid into a challenge from behind Perez and was originally shown a yellow card, but the referee waved it off and brandished De Jong a red card. The Dutchman will miss the match on Saturday in Seattle against Western Conference rival Seattle Sounders.

The referee issued a statement to explain the sending off of De Jong.

“My initial reaction based on the angle I had was a caution, however, after consulting with the referee crew, we decided that a red card was the proper punishment for this tackle.”

Gerrard was substituted in the 86th minute for Alan Gordon as the Galaxy looked to keep possession and win balls in the air defensively. Rowe made two saves late in the game to keep the clean sheet for the Galaxy.

Head coach Bruce Arena was not thrilled by the way the team has played in the first half of the season, even with the win against the Whitecaps.

“We’re halfway in the season now, I probably give us a B-.”

The fulltime whistle sounded following Mike Magee’s entrance for Dos Santos as the Galaxy closed out the 2-0 in front of the sellout crowd of 27,167 at StubHub Center. LA takes on the Sounders in Seattle on Saturday July 9.

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