Donovan’s third-minute goal gives streaking Galaxy 1-0 win over Whitecaps

VANCOUVER – Landon Donovan’s goal in the third minute gave the Los Angeles Galaxy a 1-0 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps in MLS action Saturday.

The Galaxy (12-9-4) posted its fifth straight victory while securing sole possession of second place in the tight Western Conference. The Whitecaps (10-9-6) suffered their second consecutive loss before a sellout crowd of 21,000 at B.C. Place Stadium. Vancouver’s hold on the fifth and final playoff berth became more tenuous.

The Whitecaps suffered just their second loss at home this season.

Donovan scored his fourth goal in three games after A.J. DeLaGarza’s pass hit Whitecaps central defender Johnny Leveron and came to him. The Galaxy captain planted a high shot in the left corner of the net over Whitecaps goalkeeper David Ousted.

Donovan needs four more goals to become the all-time leading scorer in MLS history. L.A. goalkeeper Jaime Penedo recorded his first MLS shutout in only his second career league appearance and third overall with the Galaxy.

Usually, prolific offensively at home, Vancouver’s offence struggled. Whitecaps striker Camilo, who entered the game tied for the MLS scoring lead with 14 goals, began the game on the bench and stayed there throughout. He received the spot on the bench due to a slight groin strain sustained last weekend against Colorado.

The sit-down ended Camilo’s string of 17 consecutive starts in league games dating to April 27.

Darren Mattocks, who recently returned from a knee injury that required minor surgery, started in his place. It was the Jamaican international’s first start since the last meeting between L.A. and Vancouver at B.C. Place on May 11, when he scored. But he did not do much, rarely touching the ball before he subbed out in the second half.

Meanwhile, central defender Andy O’Brien started his first game since suffering a hamstring injury June 8 in Seattle. Vancouver’s revised back line was victimized early as Donovan opened the scoring from about 20 yards out.

The Whitecaps almost tied it in the 10th minute, but Gershon Koffie’s shot from about 30 yards sailed wide of the right post. The Caps had another chance in the 15th minute, but Mattocks’ pass to Kenny Miller inside the box inadvertently hit him in the hand, nullifying the opportunity.

L.A. almost increased its lead in the 25th minute, but Keane’s shot off a throw-in went just over the crossbar. The Irish international had another chance from just outside Vancouver’s box after a giveaway about seven minutes later, but his left-footed shot went just wide of the right post.

Vancouver’s best chance came just before half-time as L.A. goalkeeper Jaime Penedo made a diving save on Nigel Reo-Coker’s shot.

The Galaxy got credit for seven shots in the first half with only one — Keane’s goal — judged as on target. The Whitecaps were also credited with one, but had just three attempts overall as L.A. controlled most of the play in the first 45 minutes.

L.A. came close to scoring early in the second half as Whitecaps goalkeeper David Ousted fell in a scramble, but fortunately the ball came to him while he was on the ground. The Whitecaps almost drew even moments later as substitute Kekuta Manneh had a chance alone inside the box, but Penedo stopped the curling shot in his mid-section and held the ball.

With 18-year-old Manneh’s insertion offering more pace and considerable skill on the ball, the Whitecaps started to threaten more, but showed little finish as both Miller and Reo-Coker missed the net on decent setups.

The Whitecaps were denied on two glorious back-to-back chances in the 82nd minute as Manneh hit the post in a sequence following a Vancouver corner-kick, and then L.A. goalkeeper Panedo dove and got his arm on Jordan Harvey’s shot off the rebound.

Harvey was facing an open net and played the rebound well, but Panedo, who signed with L.A. after starring for Panama in the CONCACAF Gold Cup, robbed him.

Miller had another chance in the 88th minute, but Penedo caught his long-range attempt.

Notes_Whitecaps captain Jay DeMerit, close to returning from a torn Achilles tendon suffered early in the first game of the season, did not dress. He could get a game with Vancouver’s reserve squad before returning to MLS action. DeMerit, a 33-year-old Green Bay, Wisc., native, is scheduled to marry Canadian 2010 ski cross gold medallist Ashleigh McIvor in Whistler, B.C., on Sunday. … Like the Whitecaps, the Galaxy has started three different goalkeepers this season. It’s the third consecutive season that L.A. has deployed three ‘keepers. Colorado, Real Salt Lake and Seattle have also given three different ‘keepers starting assignments. … Whitecaps midfielder Matt Watson, usually a substitute, made his first start since July 3 against Kansas City before subbing out for Manneh.