VANCOUVER, B.C. -- A week after losing 1-0 to the LA Galaxy, the Vancouver Whitecaps came back twice Saturday evening at BC Place to ensure a 2-2 draw in a rematch with their Western Conference foes.
Kekuta Manneh scored the game's final equalizer in the 86th minute, firing into the bottom right corner of goal from just outside the area. On the play, the youngster took a cut back pass from Darren Mattocks before beating Jaime Penedo in the Galaxy goal.
Mattocks scored Vancouver's first goal in the 67th minute, racing in between Penedo andLeonardo to get on the end of a through ball from Steven Beitashour. Both the goalkeeper and defender appeared to hesitate, allowing the Jamaican forward to touch a ball between the two before finishing on the right side from an acute angle.
Stefan Ishizaki bagged the game's opener in the 38th minute, heading into the bottom right corner of David Ousted's goal. Baggio Husidic played a big part in the goal, heading across the Vancouver goal and into his teammate's path.
Robbie Keane scored what appeared to be the game-winner for the second straight week in the 77th minute. After Omar Gonzalez hit a long ball into the penalty area, Rob Friend found Keane with a header and the Irishman scored on the half-volley with his left foot from very close range.
Andy O'Brien welcomed Keane to the game within the first minute, winning the ball with a slide tackle before following through on his opponent. Referee Silviu Petrescu deemed the play a foul and cautioned O'Brien for the challenge.
Keane had an early look at goal in the sixth minute, as he chipped a ball over O'Brien's head before getting a weak shot on target from close range. Ousted was able to gather comfortably enough in the end, and an intervention from Jay DeMerit gave Keane less time and space to get good connection on his shot.
Kenny Miller nearly got on the scoresheet in the 31st minute, albeit a little unconventionally. On the play, Pedro Morales volleyed a ball towards goal but it deflected off Miller's outstretched arm before Penedo made an acrobatic reflex save.
The Galaxy, now 2-1-2, have a weekend off before returning to action on May 3 against the Colorado Rapids. The Whitecaps, now 2-2-3, take on Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Stadium on April 26.
LA Galaxy 2, Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2
Saturday, April 19, 2014
MLS Regular Season
BC Place – Vancouver, Canada
Scoring Summary:
LA – Stefan Ishizaki 38’ (Assisted by Baggio Husidic, Dan Gargan)
VAN – Darren Mattocks 67’ (Assisted by Erik Hurtado, Steven Beitashour)
LA – Robbie Keane 77’ (Assisted by Rob Friend, Omar Gonzalez)
VAN – Kekuta Manneh 86’ (Assisted by Darren Mattocks)
Misconduct Summary:
VAN – Andy O'Brien (Yellow Card) 1’
LA – Baggio Husidic (Yellow Card) 34’
Lineups:
LA Galaxy: Jaime Penedo; Dan Gargan, Omar Gonzalez, Leonardo, A.J. DeLaGarza; Marcelo Sarvas, Juninho, Stefan Ishizaki (Rob Friend 72’), Baggio Husidic (Gyasi Zardes 72’); Robbie Keane ©, Landon Donovan
Substitutes Brian Perk, Kofi Opare, Tommy Meyer, Kenney Walker, Samuel
Vancouver Whitecaps FC: David Ousted; Steven Beitashour, Andy O'Brien (Johnny Leveron 46’), Jay DeMerit, Jordan Harvey; Gershon Koffie,Matías Laba, Russell Teibert (Kekuta Manneh 46’), Pedro Morales (Erik Hurtado 65’); Darren Mattocks, Kenny Miller
Substitutes Not Used: Paolo Tornaghi, Sebastian Fernandez, Nigel Reo-Coker, Nicolás Mezquida
Referee: Silviu Petrescu
Referee’s Assistants: Jonathan Johnson and Marco Arruda
4th Official: David Gantar
Attendance: 21,000
