By DEREK VAN DIEST
In the end, it worked out well.
The Vancouver Whitecaps had to rely on the weather and the health of David Beckham in order to make last night's game a success at Commonwealth Stadium.
In the end, they got both as a crowd of 37,104 showed up to watch the Vancouver Whitecaps defeat the Los Angeles Galaxy 2-1 last night at Commonwealth Stadium.
"We were pleased," said Whitecaps president Bob Lenarduzzi last night.
"I think if prior to announcing the event if someone told me that we'd be up over 35,000, we'd be happy with that.
"We didn't know what the ceiling was, but certainly I'm happy with the number and the fact it was a game that had a few goals and lots of action outside of that as well."
The two teams had faced each other in November in front of over 48,000 at B.C. Place in Vancouver. That game finished in a 0-0 draw.
It was one of the few drawbacks in the contest, where Beckham made his Canadian debut.
Last night the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star was unspectacular, but he did set up the Galaxy's lone goal in the contest.
Beating the Galaxy was a good accomplishment for the Whitecaps who play in a lower tiered league than their Los Angeles counterparts.
Last night, however, they had the better chances and could have won by a bigger margin.
"We're still in our early stages and with every game we're getting better and better," Lenarduzzi said.
"But to get a result against the Galaxy is great.
"It's a game that they have everything to lose and we have everything to gain, so we don't want to get too carried away, but it's still a building block for us."
