LA Galaxy beat Whitecaps 2-1; Vancouver eliminated from MLS playoffs
The Vancouver Whitecaps' second season in Major League Soccer is over. Goals four minutes apart midway through the second half helped the LA Galaxy erase an early deficit and defeat the 'Caps 2-1 on Thursday (November 1) night in Carson, California. Mike Magee tied the game in the 69th minute and moments later Landon Donovan scored the winner on a penalty kick.
Whitecaps striker Darren Mattocks opened the scoring converting a Matt Watson centering feed just three minutes into the match. But that was it for the Vancouver offense. Goals were hard to come by all season—particularly on the road—and that was the case again Thursday night. Other than Mattocks, the Whitecaps have virtually no offensive weapons something that will have to be addressed in the off-season.
Including the playoff loss, the 'Caps went 1-7-3 in their final 11 games. Making the playoffs in their second season in MLS is a building block for the Whitecaps moving forward. But it's clear there is plenty of work to do to turn the team into a serious contender. That work begins now as the off-season is officially underway.
Comments
1 Comments
Andrew
Nov 2, 2012 at 1:32pm
A tale of two halves of the season. The first half was a weaker schedule and then the squad changes and tougher 2nd half caused disruption and saw the exit of some productive players who were not effectively replaced.
The Caps need to shore up their 'D' as they were very shaky and disorganized at times, lacking quality in the centre of defense (Jay DeMerit, you need to step up!). They also lack attacking options. Kenny Miller has not done the job. Mattocks has potential but was injured and their midfield has more battle than skill and that won't generate offense and service that the front-liners need.
Time to start looking for new parts Bobby!