Joe Cannon must have had his Wheaties to get ready to play his former team this morning because the goalkeeper is single-handedly keeping the Vancouver Whitecaps level with the Los Angeles Galaxy. LA has the most points on the road this season in MLS and showed why in the first half in Vancouver, dominating the Whitecaps and only getting better as the half went on to send the home side into the dressing room feeling fortunate to not be behind. At the same time, LA will feel as if the half was unjust after not being able to make their dominance show itself on the scoreboard.
Vancouver Whitecaps Vs. LA Galaxy: Joe Cannon Keeps Caps Even In First Half
Right from the start LA had possession and knocked the ball around easily, but they didn't do much in the final third. It was actually the Whitecaps who had the best chance of the match early on when Josh Saunders and the Galaxy defense had communications issues, leaving the Whitecaps with a chance at an open goal, but the scrambling LA defense cleared it away.
As time went on the Galaxy began to turn their possession into chances. Juninho unleashed a great strike from 20 yards that looked like a sure-fire goal, but Cannon made a great leaping save to touch it over the bar. On the ensuing corner kick Gregg Berhalter was able to nod one for what looked like another goal, but Cannon was there to make a fine save once again. Sean Franklin also had a chance to put the Galaxy on top, but instead of side-footing the shot on frame from six yards or passing to a wide open Juan Pablo Angel, he rocketed a shot just wide of the post.
The Whitecaps will have to figure out a way to get a hold of some possession because they will not be able to handle the Galaxy’s pressure for another 45 minutes like they did in the first half. Finishing has been a problem for LA this season though so who knows if that final touch can elude them for another half.
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