4 score and 7 years ago: Toronto FC crushed by LA Galaxy

The LA Galaxy scored four making it seven years ago that Toronto FC last beat them in Major League Soccer play. Even Abraham Lincoln would have been proud of the 4-0 drubbing that the Galaxy gave the visiting Toronto FC on the day celebrating American independence.

In the first game since four of its starters left for their respective national teams, Toronto looked like a completely different team than the one that has dominated MLS the past few weeks.

While the story going in centred on Steven Gerrard's halftime introduction to the LA crowd, it was Robbie Keane that stole the show. The Irishman had a hattrick to lead the Galaxy to victory, doubling his tally for the season. Sebastian Lletget scored the fourth goal for LA.

The first goal did come off a dubious penalty with what looked like a dive from Lletget. However that hardly excuses Toronto from the on slot that followed. The Galaxy left no reason for anyone to say this game was won by a refereeing decision.

It wasn't the fact that Toronto lost that made this match so disheartening, the expected outcome, it was how easy they made things on LA. There is little need for any of the Galaxy players to take post game showers, because Toronto hardly made them sweat at all.

In the attack Toronto was painfully void of ideas. When they did have possession it was kept to the outside, without a penetrating pass or run. Without service, Sebastian Giovinco had potentially his least effective game ever in MLS.

The defending wasn't much better. Most will be quick to blame Warren Creavalle who had another disappointing performance at right back. Realistically though, the entire backline had a forgettable effort.

Even Justin Morrow, the poster boy for backline consistency with Toronto, had a bad game giving Keane a breakaway pass for his hattrick goal.

Greg Vanney seemed unwilling to adjust his tactics, even after it was clear they weren't working. How Creavalle wasn't removed from the game earlier is stunning, especially since Mark Bloom and Nick Hagglund were on the bench.

At the same time, Vanney seemed unwilling to switch things up at the top. Jordan Hamilton was only introduced in the final minutes when the game was beyond reach. Robbie Findley, the man he should have come on earlier for, did nothing with the admittedly little service he received.

Lucky for them next week should mean a lot more striker options for the club. Luke Moore will likely be back from attending to his personal matter while Bright Dike will be eligible to play again with the transfer window open.

In the midfield, Toronto's inexperience was evident. Neither Marky Delgado nor Jay Chapman had very good games, both showing little of the confidence they have in the past. Chapman dropped back in attack far too often, leaving a big gap between Toronto's strikers and midfield.

The only good news for Toronto is that this could well feed into their anger going into next week's match against New York City FC, one they have no shortage of reasons to get up for already. Getting a turnaround result in that match is crucial to the success of the Gold Cup period.

TIf nothing else this season Toronto have proven to be a better bounce back team than ever before, not letting disheartening matches keep them down. However, with a week to let this July 4 fireworks show sink in, it's going to be difficult.