Galaxy plays to scoreless draw

CARSON >> Saturday night might have appeared to be the perfect opportunity for the Galaxy to pick up a coveted three points in the tight Western Conference race.

Unfortunately for the Galaxy, things didn’t work out that way.

The Galaxy (9-4-13) failed to find the much-needed spark to its attack and came away with what has to be best classified as a disappointing scoreless draw against the ninth-place Vancouver Whitecaps (8-12-7) at StubHub Center in front of a crowd of 25,667.

The Galaxy is now in fourth place in the Western Conference with 40 points. Vancouver is currently out of the playoff race with 31 points.

The frustrations only mounted for the Galaxy as it was without Robbie Keane and eventually Steven Gerrard. The offense managed to create several late corner kick opportunities, but most never posed a serious threat on Vancouver goalkeeper David Ousted.

Keane was absent due to his impending national team call-up with Ireland. Gerrard was subbed off with a hamstring injury in the first half.

Vancouver had the game’s first big chance when Giles Barnes beat his defender down the left flank and crossed to Erik Hurtado, who had an open goal, with Galaxy goalkeeper Brian Rowe, coming off of his line. However, Hurtado’s header clanked off of the crossbar and out for a goal kick in the eighth minute.

Aside from that break, the Galaxy’s first half was miserable, compounded by the injuries to Gerrard and Jelle Van Damme. Gerrard was replaced by Gyasi Zardes and Van Damme, one of the team’s standouts on defense went out with a knee injury. He was replaced by Daniel Steres.

The Galaxy started with a makeshift lineup with Alan Gordon starting at forward and Robbie Rogers at right back and Leonardo occupying one of the two center back positions.

Brian Rowe returned to the starting lineup in goal after missing the previous two games following a head injury suffered in the Aug. 13 game against Colorado.