Landon Donovan scored twice, including a penalty kick in the 75th minute, and the Los Angeles Galaxy extended their unbeaten streak to 14 games with a 4-0 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday.
Midfielder Sean Franklin in the 85th minute and Adam Cristman in the 90th also scored for the Galaxy. It was the fourth time in five games the Galaxy won in a shutout.
The league-worst Whitecaps held their own for the first half against the league-leading Galaxy, who played without superstar David Beckham, suspended after accumulating eight yellow cards on the season. Vancouver striker Eric Hassli was the biggest threat to Los Angeles, twice just missing the corner of the net in the second half.
Donovan's first goal came in the 61st minute, when he took advantage of a fall by Whitecaps defender Michael Boxall. The Galaxy captain took a long pass from Franklin, let the ball bounce off his chest, then chipped a shot past Vancouver goalkeeper Joe Cannon.
Donovan, who sat out this week's All-Star game with a calf injury, celebrated by blowing kisses into the stands, then bowing to the booing crowd.
The second goal came after referee Baldomero Toledo called Vancouver defender Jordan Harvey for a hand ball. Donovan struck the ball home for his 11th goal of the season, bringing another round of boos.
The Galaxy lead the league with a 12-2-9 record for 45 points. They are riding an 8-0-6 streak.
The expansion Whitecaps are last in the MLS with a 2-11-9 record for 15 points. Vancouver is 0-5-1 since a June 18 win over Philadelphia at home.
It was the second time this year one of the marquee teams in MLS came to Vancouver without its biggest draw. In May, a knee injury kept Thierry Henry out of the New York Red Bulls lineup when they tied the Whitecaps 1-1.
