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The LA Galaxy take the inaugural White vs. Blue match with a 3-0 win over LA Galaxy II

February 23, 2014 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
LA Galaxy News Release


CARSON, Calif. - Robbie Keane scored a pair of goals and assisted another as the LA Galaxy blanked their USLPRO affiliate club LA Galaxy II 3-0 at StubHub Center.

Just a week after returning to full training, the Galaxy captain scored twice in the first half and set up a goal for Samuel in the 69th minute to seal the win for the first team in the first annual White vs. Blue match.

Keane wasted no time getting on the scoreboard as he received a header from Leonardo and then launched a shot from over 40 yards that caught Galaxy II goalkeeper Cody Laurendi way out of position. The Irishman appeared far sharper than he did in LA's scrimmage against UCLA on Wednesday as he pulled the strings as the Galaxy turned up the screws on their USL counterparts.

LA's first team nearly found the back of the net five minutes later when Gyasi Zardes saw his close-range effort saved by Laurendi. The Galaxy II 'keeper came up big again in the 17th minute when he came off his line to stop a pair of chances by Landon Donovan and Gyasi Zardes.

The Galaxy captain was not to be denied in the 24th minute as Landon Donovan earned a penalty kick after being taken down by Bradley Diallo. Keane pulled up to the spot and calmly slotted his effort past Laurendi to complete the brace.

Galaxy II almost tallied in the waning moments of the first half as LA Homegrown Player Jack McBean trotted up field and launched a shot that ricocheted off both posts to keep the score at 2-0.

At the start of the second half, the USL PRO side began to have greater success against their MLS counterparts and came close to getting on the score sheet in the 56th minute. A minute after being taken down in the penalty area, Travis Bowen saw his right-footed penalty saved by a diving Brian Perk to keep the shutout for the first team.

Keane capped off a stellar night in the 69th minute when he carved open the Galaxy II defense before laying a pass off to a waiting Donovan, who dished it to Samuel for the easy tap in. The Irishman was substituted just moments later, completing his longest appearance of the preseason.

Despite the deficit, Galaxy II continued to push forward, but could not break down the LA rearguard. They came close in the 76th minute when Maxwell Griffin saw his header saved by Galaxy second half 'keeper Brian Rowe.

With their victory over their USL PRO affiliate, the Galaxy are now 5-1-1 this preseason ahead of their March 8 MLS regular season opener against Real Salt Lake at StubHub Center.

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