By DEREK VAN DIEST, SUN MEDIA
Josh Wicks knew the Vancouver Whitecaps could play.
After all, he used to be one.
Last night the Los Angeles Galaxy goaltender played his first full game of the season in a 2-1 loss at Commonwealth Stadium.
The California native is usually the Galaxy's backup but got the start in the exhibition tilt against his former team.
"I played with a lot of these guys before and it was good to play against them again," Wicks said. "They looked really good, really organized and played really well as a team. I wish them all the best of luck in their league. I enjoyed the game."
Wicks, 24, played for the Whitecaps for three seasons before moving on to become a backup to the Galaxy's regular starter Steve Cronin.
Last night, however, he got off to a tough start as Nicholas Addlery scored on the Whitecaps' first chance, firing a shot from in close that got through the Galaxy goaltender and dribbled into the net.
The Galaxy tied the game when the main attraction of the contest, David Beckham, lofted a 50-yard ball into the box that Alan Gordon was able to get to above Whitecaps goaltender Srdjan Djekanovic and head into the net.
Prior to that, Wicks had to made a couple of good saves to keep the 'Caps from extending the lead. He also got some help from his goalpost.
He had little chance on the winner, however, as Nick Webb was able to find Eduardo Sebrango alone in front of the net for an easy tap-in.
Wicks is in his first year with the Galaxy who play in the top professional league in North America in the MLS. The Whitecaps play in the lower tier United Soccer Leagues.
"I played in the USL for three years," Wicks said. "I know that people may look down on it because it's not the MLS, but it's a good league. Teams do really well in the U.S.A. Cup and they do really well in exhibition games. It's a really good league."
