VANCOUVER, BC – In front of an electric sell-out crowd of 21,000 at BC Place, Vancouver Whitecaps FC (3W-4L-3D) secured a 3-1 victory against two-time defending MLS Cup champions LA Galaxy (4W-3L-2D) on Saturday.

Highlights: Whitecaps FC 3 - 1 LA Galaxy

It was a day of firsts for the ‘Caps, as the match marked Russell Teibert’s first two professional goals and the 'Caps first MLS victory over the Galaxy.



Whitecaps FC head coach Martin Rennie made two changes from last Saturday's starting lineup against Real Salt Lake, with midfielder Jun Marques Davidson and striker Darren Mattocks drawing in for Teibert and Corey Hertzog.



On five minutes, the Galaxy had their first chance of the match when a cross from Sean Franklin found the head of Jose Villarreal, but his effort was well saved by a diving Joe Cannon.



On seven minutes, the ‘Caps had their first chance of the match when right back Young-Pyo Lee made a nice cross to Mattocks, whose shot was blocked before it could reach the net.



In the 13th minute, the Blue and White had another opportunity as Mattocks made some nice moves around the Galaxy defenders, but his eventual shot from just outside the 18-yard box was saved by Carlo Cudicini.



In the 36th minute, the home side almost had a fortuitous goal when Omar Gonzalez nearly put the ball into his own net with a volley that came off a pass from Nigel Reo-Coker, but Cudicini was again there to make the save.



Despite several chances for the ‘Caps in the first half, the match went into halftime as a 0-0 stalemate.



On 61 minutes, Gonzalez nearly had the first goal of the match when a cross from Mike Magee found him, but his header bounced just wide of the net.



Finally, on 63 minutes, Teibert gave the home fans reason to erupt. A calm and collected Reo-Coker made a simple pass to the young Canadian international, who carried the ball to the top of the 18-yard box, turned, and rifled it past Cudicini for his first professional goal. Post-Match interviews:

“I think this will boost his confidence. He’s travelled a very long, hard road from last season to be a first team player. He’s come through our youth system, and there’s others coming through [the youth system] that we’re really excited about as well, so it’s fun to see that today.” Martin Rennie POST MATCH

INTERVIEWS:

11 minutes later, on 76 minutes, Teibert finished again. The 'Caps Canadian hero received a short pass from Koffie, who did well to evade the Galaxy defenders, finding Teibert for a one-time finish to give the ‘Caps a 2-0 lead heading into the final 15 minutes of the match.



The drama was not yet over though. On 86 minutes, LA reduced their deficit by one, as Villarreal made a beautiful cross into the box, where Gyasi Zardes headed the ball in for his first MLS goal.



As LA attempted to equalize, the ‘Caps capitalized on another opportunity as Koffie lofted a ball into the box, finding second-half substitute Jordan Harvey, who then chested the ball down to Mattocks. The Jamaican would not be denied, sliding home his second goal of the season.



As the clock wound down, the jubilant fans rose to their feet and gave their team an ovation to celebrate the 3-1 win.



Next up for Whitecaps FC is the first leg of the Amway Canadian Championship final against Montreal Impact this coming Wednesday, May 15, as the 'Caps travel to Quebec to take on their Canadian rivals at Stade Saputo. Kickoff for Wednesday's match is 4:30 p.m. PT.