BY ADAM SERRANO

CARSON, Calif.– The Los Angeles Galaxy showed no ill effects from their midweek loss in the CONCACAF Champions League, beating the Vancouver Whitecaps in relatively easy fashion for the second time this season.

Mike Magee scored twice and Robbie Keane tallied the other adding an assist as the Galaxy were able to handle the Whitecaps, 3-0. The result was the Galaxy's 15th shut out of the season, which puts them two shy of the record set by the Kansas City Wizards in 2000. Leading the Supporters Shield, race, the victory over the Whitecaps put the Galaxy one step closer to their greater goal. 

"Winning is important," said Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena," But we're still in two battles in the short term, one winning the supporters shield and the other, which is getting out of group play in the Champions League so every time that we win a game, it's important." 

The Galaxy were the aggressors from the start of the match, consistently taking advantage of poor marking by the Whitecaps to create scoring chances. Although the Whitecaps were challenged from the start, they enjoyed the finest chance early when Eric Hassli's shot in the 32nd minute forced a sprawling save from Galaxy goalkeeper Josh Saunders.

The Galaxy finally made the Whitecaps pay for their marking in the 40th minute when Keane split two defenders with a pass into Keane that the Galaxy midfielder easily handled into the back of the net.

In the second half, Vancouver enjoyed a brief stint of possession, but were uanble to challenge the Galaxy net. In the 64th minute, the Galaxy were able to double their lead when right back Bryan Jordan found Robbie Keane in space in the box. The Irishman easily headed the ball past Whitecaps goalkeeper Joe Cannon for his second goal in a Galaxy uniform.

"Each game, I feel stronger and stronger and I think that I've shown that in the last few games," Keane told reporters after the match. "Hopefully there is still a lot more to come." 

The Galaxy put the match away in the 75th when Jordan notched his second assist of the night finding Magee, whose flick put the Galaxy up by three goals. Magee's double came exactly six years to the date of the last time that he tallied two goals, for the then-MetroStars.

It was a night of milestones for both members of the Galaxy and the Whitecaps. Cannon made his 300 start in the league for the Whitecaps, becoming the 16th player in MLS to reach the number. Arena's victory moved him past Bob Bradley for second place on the MLS career coaching wins list with 125 victories. Arena is second to Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid, who currently at 153 victories. 

The Galaxy will now prepare for their match in the CONCACAF Champions League against Alajuelense in Costa Rica on Wednesday, which will be followed by a trip to Columbus to take on the Columbus Crew on the 24th of September. While the Whitecaps look ahead to their Cascadia Cup tie against the Seattle Sounders on Sept. 24th in their final match at  Empire Field before the opening of BC Place.

Although the scoreline was flattering for the Galaxy, the Whitecaps made a positive impression on the Galaxy. 

"Vancouver is one of the team that I've recognized over the last couple of months has really improved," added Arena. "I think that they have a good nucleus of players to continue to move forward and build their franchise."