By DAN KARELL
Bruce Arena is well known for getting the most out of young players in Major League Soccer, and two of his youngest came through for him against one of the hottest teams in the league.
With an average age of 20, the Los Angeles Galaxy forward duo of Gyasi Zardes and Jose Villarreal each scored goals to give the Galaxy a 2-1 comeback victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday night at the StubHub Center. The result ends a string of six matches unbeaten for the visiting Whitecaps.
Though the Galaxy came close to taking the lead on two occasions inside 10 minutes, the Whitecaps struck first. Against the run of play, Whitecaps forward Camilo was sent through on goal, finishing calmly to give the visitors the lead in the 19th minute. The goal was Camilo’s league leading 13th goal of the season.
Less than nine minutes later, the Galaxy equalized through the 19-year-old Villarreal. The U.S. Under-20 player tapped home a header towards the net by Omar Gonzalez though the play was originally called back for offside. Instead, after a long talk with the referee, the officials deemed it a good goal and the match was tied at 1-1.
In the 57th minute, the hosts finally found their breakthrough. Homegrown talent Gyasi Zardes ran onto a lofted pass into the box, sent a deft touch past Brad Rusin who slipped and fell, giving Zardes ample opportunity to score his third goal of the season, two of which have now been game-winners.
Galaxy goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini came up big in the 73rd minute with a kick save on Kenny Miller, holding the lead for his side.
Here are the match highlights:
