Galaxy 4 - 0 Whitecaps
Final
  for this game

L.A. heads to Vancouver with unbeaten streak on the line

Jul 29, 2011 - 4:05 PM Vancouver, BC (Sports Network) - The Los Angeles Galaxy aims to continue the longest unbeaten streak in Major League Soccer on Saturday at Empire Field as the club visits Vancouver Whitecaps FC.

Bruce Arena's team is currently unbeaten in its last 13 games in league play, but the boss could be without a few key pieces for Saturday's contest, which could hurt an already struggling attack.

Midfielder David Beckham played the full 90 minutes in Wednesday's MLS All- Star game, but he is out through suspension, while fellow midfielder Chris Birchall is also suspended and will miss the contest.

The team's leading scorer, Landon Donovan, sat out the All-Star game with a calf strain and his status is unknown for Saturday's match.

Donovan is L.A.'s leading scorer this season, but with the club having tallied just three goals in its last four games, his absence would not help the situation.

The Galaxy's last MLS match came 10 days ago in a 1-0 home win over Columbus, which illustrated the team's lack of offensive punch.

"I think what's more frustrating is that we've had a lot of chances and we just aren't putting those in," said Galaxy defender Sean Franklin.

The absences of a few big-name players for L.A. would be a break for a Vancouver team that could use a few.

A 2-2 draw with the San Jose Earthquakes last time out snapped a four-game losing skid for the team, and coach Tom Soehn is hoping for his side to build on a good finish to the match.

"I was very disappointed with the start of the match," said Soehn. "We were flat to start and it took a goal to wake us up. After that, we were pressing a little bit better. We created a few opportunities, but I think we made a few naive mistakes tonight. We let their guys get through too easy. It meant that we really had to fight back and create opportunities. That was a real positive, as we created quite a few plays."

Eric Hassli scored both goals for the Whitecaps, marking the third time this season that he has tallied two in one game.

Vancouver has only earned 15 points from 21 games this season, but 11 have come at home, with Saturday's game marking the first time the two sides will meet this season.






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