One of the oldest rivalries in MLS turns 100 Sunday when the Los Angeles Galaxy host the San Jose Earthquakes at Carson, Calif.
The 100th meeting of the California Clasico, across all competitions, is something of a throwback with the Galaxy reprising their role as one of the top teams in the league. LA (4-1-3, 15 points) sits atop the Western Conference.
The Earthquakes (1-7-0, 3 points) are on the opposite end of the spectrum while in search of their first road points of the season.
The teams have met oncethis season, and not much has changed since the Galaxy earned a 3-1 victory over the host Earthquakes March 2. Joseph Paintsil, Dejean Joveljic and Riqui Puig all scored goals for Los Angeles and the trio has continued to deliver.
Joveljic leads the Galaxy with six goals, Paintsil has three goals with three assists and Puig has expertly played the role of playmaker from the midfield with two goals and four assists.
“What I think we are capable of is moving the ball really fast,” Galaxy coach Greg Vanney said on the ‘Corner of the Galaxy’ podcast. “… Our goal is how fast we can play. I don’t really believe there is any other team in the league that can play as fast as us.”
While the revamped Galaxy have won three of their past four games, the Earthquakes are on a three-game losing streak.
San Jose has 10 goals scored on the season, while the defense has given up 20, by far the most in MLS and four more than the next closest team. The Earthquakes’ minus-10 goal differential also is the worst in the league.
The Earthquakes are coming off their largest margin of defeat in a game this season, 3-0 at home to the Colorado Rapids last weekend. San Jose led 24-16 on shots and 6-3 in shots on goal yet still came away empty.
“We can’t get stuck staring at the table and worrying about playoffs; it’s not about that at this point,” Earthquakes coach Luchi Gonzalez said. “It’s about getting better at training … and let’s go to LA Galaxy and do what no one expects us to do.”
San Jose’s Jeremy Ebobisse has nine career goals in 14 games against the Galaxy and is tied with Victor Costa de Brito for the team lead with two goals each.
The Galaxy lead the series 47-33-19 across MLS regular-season and playoff action, as well as in the U.S. Open Cup.
–Field Level Media