TEMPE, Ariz. – Playing largely a reserve side, the LA Galaxy got a pair of second half goals to earn their second 2-0 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps FC in as many days, improving their preseason record to 2-1-2 against MLS competition. Adam Cristman and Chad Barrett scored 16 minutes apart as the Galaxy closed out their 10-day Arizona preseason camp with a win.
Playing two 40 minute halves following yesterday’s game, neither side was able to get on the scoreboard in the opening half. Vancouver saw a pair of chances from Atiba Harris and Philippe Davies go close at one end of the field, while Barrett, Leonardo and Michael Stephens each tested the Whitecaps defense.
Sixteen minutes into the second half the Galaxy made their only two changes of the game, brining in Cristman and Ryan Thomas. Those moves would prove to pay off just two minutes later when Cristman scored his second goal of the preseason. Barrett played Miguel Lopez into the box on the right wing and the Argentinean hit a low cross into the center of the box for Cristman, who redirected it past Vancouver goalkeeper Brian Sylvestre from eight yards out, giving LA a 1-0 lead.
LA remained in the ascendency for much of the second half and had a number of chances to double their lead before Barrett did so in the 74th minute. Rookie Hector Jimenez got the ball on the right and took two dribbles before squaring the ball across the top of the box for Barrett, who turned to face goal and hit a left footed shot low, just inside Sylvestre’s left post.
WATCH: Cristman and Barrett score second-half goals
Just before Barrett’s goal, the Whitecaps came close to an equalizer when Cornelius Stewart picked up a loose ball inside the Galaxy penalty area, and fired a shot at goal, only for Josh Saunders to dive to his left and deflect the ball out for a corner kick. Minutes later, with LA up 2-0, Saunders bravely punched away a Davies freekick, allowing LA to hold on for a 2-0 win.
The Galaxy will return to Southern California on Wednesday morning before getting back to training at The Home Depot Center on Thursday, less than a week ahead of their friendly against Club Tijuana, which will be played at Torero Stadium in San Diego on Wednesday, March 2 at 7 p.m. (BUY TICKETS), and three weeks ahead of the season opener in Seattle against the Sounders FC on Tuesday, March 15 at 6:30 p.m.
Scoring
Summary:
LA – Adam Cristman (Miguel Lopez) 58’
LA – Chad Barrett (Hector Jimenez) 74’
Misconduct
Summary:
VAN – Omar Salgado (Yellow Card) 29’
VAN – Philippe Davies (Yellow Card) 63’
Lineup:
LA Galaxy: Josh Saunders; Dustin McCarty, Sean Franklin, Leonardo, Todd Dunivant (Ryan Thomas 56’); Michael Stephens, Hector Jimenez, Miguel Lopez, Bryan Jordan (Adam Cristman 56’); Mike Magee, Chad Barrett.
More Updates from Arizona:
LA Galaxy Beat Expansion Vancouver Whitecaps, 2-0, in Preseason
Video: On the Road - Arizona (Part 2)
Galaxy Adjusting on the Fly: Heavy Rains Force Schedule Changes in Arizona
Day 5 Training Update
Day 4 Training Update
Galaxy fall to Rapids, 4-2
Day 2 Training Update
Day 1 Training Update
Video: On the Road - Arizona
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