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SJ Earthquakes take on LA Galaxy, Round One Preview

By on June 26, 2015

The MLS table can be a misleading creature. Currently, the L.A. Galaxy sit four places and six points above the San Jose Earthquakes in the Western Conference, having scored ten more goals than the Quakes. From that perspective, L.A. would appear to have the edge, being in better form through the first half of the calendar. However, due to the peculiarity that can afflict the MLS calendar, the Quakes currently have four games in hand on the Galaxy.

Thus, toying with the numbers in more detail, their form through midseason is actually remarkably similar. Both clubs have dropped 1.53 points-per-game, and while the Quakes have allowed fifteen goals in fifteen league matches so far this season, the Galaxy have allowed twenty in nineteen. Thus on paper, the advantage should be in the home Quakes’ hands. And tomorrow night, a win would go a long way to climbing San Jose back up the table into a playoff position.

Given the expansive history between the two teams, history suggests is that it will be a very tight affair. In their nine meetings since 2011, only one match has been decided by more than a single goal.

Over the years, the two teams have shared many players. Eddie Lewis, Joe Cannon, Landon Donovan and Alejandro Moreno are among those to have played for both clubs, and the Galaxy’s current players Alan Gordan, Todd Dunivant, and Dan Gargan have all had spells with the Quakes.

Gordon, for one, confessed after the Galaxy’s 3-2 preseason loss to their rival that he maintains a soft spot for the Quakes. “This place was very dear to my heart — the fans were always really, really nice and warming and supportive of me and they continue to be,” the forward said.  “They’re classy fans and I will always love this place. Those things are always going to be off the field things.  On the field, I’m wearing gold and blue right now.”

To translate: although the two clubs can be kissing cousins off the field, it’s all business on the pitch. In a battle that has become one of the fiercest rivalries in MLS, it’s also been one of the most entertaining. Held in a beautiful setting at the 50,000-seat Stanford Stadium, sellout crowds at the annual Cal Clasico have enjoyed fights, spills, and thrills —in other words fireworks both on and then, more literally, off the pitch.

In the 2012 Clasico, the Quakes came from down 1-3 at halftime to notch a 4-3 win, with David Beckham handed a one-match ban for his involvement in post-match scuffles. Following the two sides’ meeting the next fall, a 2-2 draw at Buck Shaw Stadium, Galaxy defender called the Quakes “obnoxious” and “a bunch of jokes.”

The Quakes again came back from behind in stunning fashion in the 2013 edition, scoring two stoppage time goals to win 3-2. L.A. won 1-0 last year, but the two sides’ two regular season meetings since have each ended in draws.

This time around, the Galaxy are at a minor disadvantage having faced midweek action, though the euphoria following 5-1 wins over the Philadelphia Union and a 5-0 routing of the Portland Timbers on Wednesday may not have worn off, compensating for tired legs at the weekend. Still, the potential fatigue may play into the Quakes hands in the closing minutes, should the home side require yet another late comeback. From a Galaxy perspective, Bruce Arena’s men can test their newfound copious scoring ability against San Jose.

Dominic Kinnear’s Earthquakes side also scoring in their crosshairs, though the bar is lower, as only five MLS teams have conceded fewer goals per match than the Quakes’ this season as Kinnear has stumbled upon a very consistent back-four of Victor Bernardez and Clarence Goodson as center-backs with Jordan Stewart and Marvell Wynne in full-back positions.

Their front-line, however, has struggled at times, having been hit by the injury to new signing Innocent Emeghara, although Kinnear remained faithful to a 4-1-4-1 formation that is adaptable to both counter-attacking and possession-based play. Shea Salinas and Matias-Perez Garcia have both emerged as impact starters this season, while Chris Wondolowski remains the Quakes’ savior in front of goal. Nevertheless, the issue of finishing has popped up multiple times in Kinnear’s post-match press conferences throughout the season. Wondolowski said after the Quakes’ 1-0 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps in mid-April: “I still think we’re a work in progress in that final touch and that final pass.”

But the Quakes proved a week-and-a-half ago that when the going gets tough, they find a way. Wound scored twice late on to take the Sacramento Republic into extra-time in the US Open Cup before the Quakes won on penalties.

Regardless of the outcome tomorrow night, the show won’t be over after the fireworks. Round two takes place just three days later at Avaya Stadium as part of the US Open Cup.

About Alex Morgan

Alex Morgan, founder of Football Every Day, lives and breaths football from the West Coast of the United States in California. Aside from founding Football Every Day in January of 2013, Alex has also launched his own journalism career and hopes to help others do the same with FBED. He covers the San Jose Earthquakes as a beat reporter for QuakesTalk.com and his work has also been featured in the BBC's Match of the Day Magazine.