MLS: Los Angeles Galaxy Flex Muscles in 4-0 Win over Vancouver Whitecaps

No Beckham? No Birchall? No problem.

It took them an average first half and change, but Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy got the job done, shutting out the Vancouver Whitecaps 4-0 on Saturday afternoon at Empire Field in Vancouver, British Columbia.

The problem for Vancouver coming into the match was that a certain No. 10 in blue was suiting up for the Galaxy. That No. 10 happens to be Landon Donovan, who continues to set the pace with 11 goals this season.

A game-winner in the 61st minute off the transition combined with a penalty conversion in the 75th minute of play from Donovan was all the Galaxy really needed, as the goals from Sean Franklin in the 80th minute and Adam Cristman in the 90th minute were mere insurance.

This was a statement win by the Galaxy that was several weeks in the making. They have put the Portland Timbers on notice ahead of their Wednesday night tilt at Jeld-Wen Field.

A little side note: bench Juan Pablo Angel. I have fallen out of favor with one of the most overrated players in Major League Soccer. He was nonexistent in a clear-cut mismatch that should have seen him record at least one past the end line.

Bruce Arena would be wise to bench this sham of a designated player until he can prove that he can deliver. Play Angel off the bench for the next several weeks as Beckham and Birchall both return for action next week.

I can infer that the injury Donovan suffered last week has made him hungry to get back on the pitch. Donovan wanted to get out there against both Manchester teams, but never got the chance. With this performance, he seems to have recovered from it very well.

Credit Vancouver for making things interesting, with the looks from Mustapha Jarju, Camilo and Eric Hassli. And Shea Salinas should have made this a 4-1 game. But when his attempt hit the post just before the hour mark, suddenly LA found their offensive rhythm.

They need to find it a bit sooner when Portland come into town. Jeld-Wen Field is no Rio Tinto Stadium when it comes to home-cooking (that honor may belong to a certain Livestrong Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kan.), but the environment and intimidation generated by the Timbers Army is a facet that the Galaxy must neutralize next week.

Overall, a solid display by Major League Soccer's best team, but LA need to find their rhythm in the first half as well as the second half. The passing and defending were solid. Now the finishing needs to follow suit.

And with Beckham and Birchall returning to the lineup, we may see just that.

Kickoff between the Los Angeles Galaxy and Portland Timbers at Jeld-Wen Field in Portland, Oregon is scheduled for Wednesday, August 3 at 7:30 p.m. PT/10:30 p.m. ET and will be televised by ESPN2.

Ins and Outs

Youth Academy Update

The Los Angeles Galaxy Under-18s will be in the Generation Adidas Cup final after whipping Chivas USA 3-1. Goals from Sebastion Velasquez and Esteban Rodriguez paced the Young G's at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas.

“It’s our fourth game in five days,” Galaxy Academy manager Kenny Arena told MLSSoccer.com's Travis Clark. “At this level, as kids get older that requires a lot of work physically and in this heat. That, combined with it being a Clasico, it got quite chippy. The guys hung in there, did a great job to get the win.”

It wasn't as pleasant for the Galaxy Under-16s, who lost to the New York Red Bulls 4-1 and will have to battle for fifth place against the Columbus Crew. On Saturday, July 31.

Kickoff between the Crew Under-16s and Galaxy Under-16s is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. CT/9:30 a.m. ET. Kickoff between the FC Dallas Under-18s and Galaxy Under-18s is scheduled for 10 a.m. CT/11 a.m. ET.