Galaxy upend Quakes 1-0 with second half own goal

The Los Angeles Galaxy celebrate after a deflected ball that went off of the San Jose Earthquakes Tanner Beason’s foot and went into the Quakes own goal for the score of the night as the Galaxy wound up chalking up the win at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson (@LA Galaxy photo)

by Marko Ukalovic

CARSON, Calif—Jonathan Bond stole the show late in the second half as the Los Angeles Galaxy only needed one goal to defeat the San Jose Earthquakes 1-0 in the first installment of the 2021 California Classico on Saturday afternoon at Dignity Health Sports Park.

San Jose has lost a season worst four matches in a row and have been stuck on nine points for the past month. Los Angeles have won three out of its last four matches and have 15 points. They are undefeated at home at 4-0-0.

Quakes head coach Matias Almeyda used a different starting line up in the match. Tyler Beason, Judson and Carlos Fierro returned to the starting 11 for San Jose.

Los Angeles (5-2-0) took advantage of the open play throughout most of the game. They out shot San Jose 12-4 in the first half as they were able to generate multiple scoring chances.

San Jose (3-5-0) almost gifted wrapped LA a goal in the 31st minute. Quakes goalie JT Marcinkowski was guilty of another nonchalant pass inside his own box. Efraín Álvarez intercepted the ball and his shot hit off the right post. On the conceded corner kick, Daniel Steres’ header hit the cross bar and then Jonathan dos Santos rebound attempt was knocked away by Quakes defenseman Tommy Thompson.

“We went wrong by letting the game be open,” said Chris Wondolowski. “At times that can suit us, but we knew coming into this game that was not our game plan.”

The Galaxy came out strong in the second half as Chicharito had a shot from close range stopped by Marcinkowski in the 47th minute.

The Quakes got a break when dos Santos had to leave the game in the 51st minute with an apparent lower body injury and was replaced by Adam Saldaña.

San Jose had momentum on its side after making three substitutions at the 62nd minute. Wondolowski, Shae Salinas and Paul Marie entered the game for Almeyda. Wondo had two scoring chances and Salinas had one from the 64th to 65th minute but Bond came through with saves on all three attempts.

“There are moments when matches go a certain way. The games are close, and the ball won’t go in. We need to keep working. We have to give the players calmness because this also becomes a questions of confidence,” Almeyda said.

Los Angles broke the seal in the 70th minute. Samuel Grandsir, who came in the match as a sub in the 63rd minute, received the ball from 15 yards out. Grandsir bulled his way past Paul Marie, knocking him down inside the box. Grandsir’s shot from along the end line went off the foot of Beason and into the back of the net for an own goal.

It was the only scoring the Galaxy would need as they relied on their goalkeeper to preserve the win.

Bond saved his best for last near the end of the match. In a two-minute span from the 79th minute to the 81st minute he stopped two point blank chances by the San Jose. First in the 79th minute, Andy Rios got behind LA’s defense with a one-on-one attempt only to have Bond kick it away from danger. Then in the 81st minute, Salinas’ rebound attempt was knocked away by Bond for a corner kick.

“Executing the game plan is something that we need to work on. I think right now, we’ve gotten a little too much in a hero ball. Guys take it upon themselves and try to do something special and I think (those are) the times we have been dangerous to be honest,” Wondolowski said.

San Jose kept the pressure inside the Galaxy end with four minutes of stoppage time but weren’t able to score the equalizer in a frustrated effort.

Bond finished the match stopping all 12 shots on goal to earn the shutout victory, his fifth of the season. Marcinkowski made seven saves on the eight shots he faced in the losing cause.

GAME NOTES: Each time had four corner kicks in the match.

Thompson, who made his 150th appearance for San Jose, became the first home grown player to wear the captain’s armband.

San Jose is 6-3-2 in its last 11 matches against the Galaxy.

Judson made his first start since November 8th, 2020.

Salinas made his 300th career appearance for the Quakes. He became only the second player in franchise history to to reach that mark.

UP NEXT: San Jose continues its road trip to Texas where they take on Austin FC in its first ever match up with the new expansion team on Saturday 6/19 at 6:00pm at Q2 Stadium.

Headline Sports podcast with London Marq: Cousins may leave Golden State, but can he fit in with Lakers?; US Women’s Soccer team could win it all this Sunday; plus more

Photo credit: @LakeShowWorld

On Headline Sports with London:

#1 Critics says that there is no market for DeMarcus Cousins. What would you say the reason are as someone who covered him while he was at Golden State? Too many injuries, didn’t fulfill what the Warriors expected out him, too much baggage.

#2 Would the Lakers consider picking up Cousins? Cousins is reportedly watching if Kawhi Leonard decides to sign with the Lakers and if so would Cousins want to join Leonard in the Southland?

#3 You were there, how impressive were the Earthquakes when they shutout the LA Galaxy 3-0 at Stanford Stadium last Saturday?

#4 Quakes head coach Matias Almeyda said the game was a spectacle and the team is on the right path and has improved.

#5 The US Women’s team got a 2-1 win over England to advance to the Finals, which will be played on Sunday. Talk about how nervous you are for this upcoming match that could win it all.

London Marq does Headline Sports for http://www.sportsradioservice.com each Wednesday

San Jose Earthquakes podcast with Ana Kieu: Quakes blowout Galaxy in Cali Clasico; Quakes to take on Minnesota United; plus more

Photo credit: @SJEarthquakes

On the San Jose Earthquakes podcast with Ana:

1. The Quakes blowout the LA Galaxy 3-0 in the Cali Clasico for their second straight win.

2. The Quakes take on the Minnesota United at Allianz Field Wednesday.

3. After that, San Jose will return to Avaya Stadium to host Real Salt Lake Saturday night.

4. Vako, Tommy Thompson and Matias Almeyda were all part of the MLS Team of the Week for Week 17.

5. Vako was named MLS Player of the Week for Week 17.

Catch Ana on the San Jose Earthquakes podcasts each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

The California Clasíco

By London Marq

STANFORD, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes and Los Angeles Galaxy are two of the original ten clubs that Major League Soccer debuted with, in 1996. The league has since bloomed and now has twenty-four teams. Separated by nearly 400 miles the Earthquakes and Galaxy continue to have one of the hottest rivalries in the league.

Known as The California Clasíco, the rivalry spans the entire 23-year history of Major League Soccer and has seen game 57 games between the regular season and the playoffs. Not only is this a geographical rivalry, but it is also marked by games that will never be forgotten. During the 2003 playoffs, San Jose scored 5 goals in a single match after being down 4-nil (on aggregate) to win the game and the series. It is one of the greatest games in MLS History and is the greatest comeback. The rivalry has exemplified the best of soccer in the United States, featuring some of the all-time greats from the U.S. such as Landon Donovan and Chris Wondolowski.

MLS soccer needs more rivalries like the California Clasíco. The league continues to expand year by year and MLS had the 3^rd highest average attendance among the major sports leagues in the U.S. in 2018. Still, they struggle to gain the respect commanded by other sports. The lack of a lucrative and primetime television contract holds MLS from its true potential. But with the World Cup being hosted by the United States in 2026, it is likely that soccer will continue to grow as a priority in the American sports realm.

On June 29^th, the Galaxy and Earthquakes went toe-to-toe once more at Stanford University in front of a sellout crowd of over 50,000 people. In 2017, Atlanta United set the MLS record for attendance with a crowd of nearly 75,000. With more expansion in the future for MLS, the league will continue to gain notoriety. But in order to thrive, MLS needs to invigorate rivalries between clubs that players and fans alike can invest in. Casual fans want to believe that soccer holds more weight than a 1-1 draw. They want to see exciting goals and enthralling storylines. MLS needs to take a long look at how they market themselves. An examination of the long history of the California Clasíco would be a great place to start.

San Jose Earthquakes podcast with Ana Kieu: Quakes shutout Dynamo 2-0, Quakes prep for Cali Clasico; plus more

Photo credit: @SJEarthquakes

On the San Jose Earthquakes podcast with Ana:

1. The Quakes shutout the Houston Dynamo 2-0 at Avaya Stadium Wednesday to earn three points.

2. With the win, San Jose soared in the current MLS Western Conference standings.

3. The Quakes recently signed Mexican winger Carlos Fierro pending his P-1 visa.

4. The Quakes prepare for the Cali Clasico against the LA Galaxy at Stanford Stadium on Saturday, June 29.

5. The US men’s soccer team shutout Panama 1-0 in the Group D decider Wednesday.

Ana does the San Jose Earthquakes podcasts each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Earthquakes unable to move on in U.S. Open Cup

Photo credit: @SJEarthquakes

By Pearl Allison Lo

LOS ANGELES– The Southern California team advanced in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Round of 16 as the Los Angeles Football Club defended its turf 3-1 Thursday.

LAFC was 7-0-1 at home before this game and will move on to face the Portland Timbers (who shut out the Los Angeles Galaxy 4-0) in the Quarterfinals match July 10.

San Jose is now 0-4-0 all-time versus LAFC. However, for facing the number one team in MLS, the Quakes held their own, especially in the first half score wise, and scored their first goal at Banc of California Stadium.

LAFC’s Diego Rossi had a goal and an assist. Keeper Pablo Sisniega made eight saves and San Jose’s Andrew Tarbell six.

“The keeper made a couple great saves, and changed the game in that sense…they finished their chances and have that killer instinct,” remarked Quakes’ Captain Chris Wondolowski.

LAFC controlled the first third possession-wise, bur Vako picked up right where he left off in U.S. Open Cup Play, after scoring his second goal in the 91st minute versus Sacramento Republic Tuesday the previous week. Jackson Yueill found an opening for the ball to send it upfield to Cristian Espinoza, who passed to his left to Vako who was then able to score in front of his defender near Sisniega in the 7th minute. It was another statistical contribution in the tournament for Espinoza, who scored in the 38th minute last game.

In the 20th minute, Wondo had a header that went off Sisniega’s fingertips and into the net, but Wondo was offsides.

Rossi had a one-on-one battle near goal in which he and the home crowd thought he got fouled.  

Rossi finally broke through the defense with a diagonal kick to tie the game up in the 35th minute. Lee Nguyen got the assist.

Latif Blessing narrowly missed in the 40th minute after it went off Tarbell’s fingers.

Vako and Rossi both led the first half with three shots apiece. San Jose had four shots on target compared to one for LAFC.

Rossi delivered the ball and Adama Diomande gave LAFC its first lead in the 60th minute when he sped to get around Tarbell, resulting in the goal.

Espinoza almost single-handedly took back the goal in the 63rd minute after a long pass, but was stifled by Sisniega.

Espinoza’s fifth shot attempt in the 76th minute left two Quakes sprawled in the grass.

Captain Carlos Vela then made his mark in front of an already hyped crowd. He maneuvered his way to the front of the net as Tarbell went the opposite direction in the 85th minute to make it 3-1. Tristan Blackmon was credited with the helper.

“We weren’t clinical enough,” noted Wondolowski, but also in reply to the 5-0 drubbing from their opponents on March 30, “we’re not scared of anyone anymore.”

Up Next: Vako led with six shots, followed by Espinoza’s five and Vela and Rossi with four apiece. San Jose will now travel back home for the regular season to play host for two games, starting with the Houston Dynamo Wednesday at 7:30 pm.   

San Jose Earthquakes podcast with Ana Kieu: The black and blue remain in the Bay Area this month

Photo credit: @SJEarthquakes

On the San Jose Earthquakes podcast with Ana:

1. After coming off a two-game road trip, San Jose’s now ranked 11th in the MLS Power Rankings following Week 14.

2. The Quakes’ U-12 Boys Academy capped off their season with results against the Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Crossfire Premier.

3. Nick Lima and Jackson Yueill were called up to the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) camp.

4. Jackson Yueill embraced the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) experience.

5. The Quakes received backlash for deciding to celebrate Pride Month this Saturday at Avaya Stadium against FC Dallas.

Ana does the San Jose Earthquakes podcasts each week for Sports Radio Service

Cali Clasico: Earthquakes and Galaxy take 3-3 draw at Stanford Stadium

By Alexandra Evans and Marko Ukalovic

PALO ALTO—The San Jose Earthquakes faced the LA Galaxy at Stanford Stadium on Saturday with an attendance of 50,743 fans. The Quakes were searching to close out the month of June by coming back from seven consecutive winless games (including four straight losses and back-to-back draws), but ended up taking another draw 3-3.

Numbers first went up on the board for the Galaxy in the second minute. Zlatan Ibrahimovic kicked the ball from nearly 10 yards out to the left of the net, passing both forward Danny Hoesen and Quakes goaltender Andrew Tarbell before either could make any defensive plays.

The Quakes almost responded when Vako danced into the Galaxy’s defensive zone, but was immediately robbed of the ball. David Bingham made an excellent save off in the 11th minute, when the ball was nearly sent over his head into the net from the right side.

LA tried to double their lead in the 12th minute. Romain Alessandrini made what looked like a promising shot toward Tarbell, but went wide of net to the right.

Quakes captain Chris Wondolowski was given a free scoring chance after LA’s Bradford Jamieson was issued a yellow card for tripping Quakes midfielder Magnus Eriksson. Wondolowski’s first shot was saved by Bingham, then rebounded, after which he struck the ball into the dead center of the net, tying the game 1-1.

Tarbell made a save off of a shot from Alessandrini in the 19th minute, who shot from the righthand side of the net. Alessandrini would reattempt from the left side a minute later, succeeding, and giving the Galaxy their lead back.

Wondolowski glided his way toward the net in the 23rd minute, nearly stripping LA’s lead with what was only to be halted by Bingham.

Ibrahimovic took a penalty kick in the 25th minute after Quakes’ Francois Affolter was fouled. This opportunity resulted in Ibrahimovic’s second goal of the night, giving LA a two point lead (1-3).

In the 36th minute, Hoesen carried the ball from center field to the left end of LA’s defensive zone, from which he made his shot, though the ball lost momentum and was picked up by Bingham.

Vako added a point for the Quakes in the 39th minute when he struck the ball from 20 yards out of the center of the net between the legs of Jamieson and directly past Bingham. The Quakes trailed 3-2.

In the 42nd minute, Florian Jungwirth almost tied the game when he took a pass from 10 yards out and dribbled the ball into LA’s penalty zone before the ball was deflected out of bounds. Wondolowski, in the 45th minute, stood approximately 10 yards away from the net and attempted a shot, which was also deflected.

The second half commenced with Tarbell making a save off of Ibrahimovic in the 46th minute, stopping what would have been a hat trick for the 6’5″, 209-pound native of Malmo, Sweden.

“Unfortunately, two [of the six goals] were scored by the big super star,” Jungwirth said, jokingly, of Ibrahimovic, sparking laughter amongst the media.

“It is going to be hard if you concede after one minute,” Hoesen said of Ibrahimovic’s goal in the second minute. “But we know Zlatan is a quality player, and he can punish you in those situations.”

“There was a minute in the game, in the second half, where I kind of looked him up and down, and I thought, ‘This is a big dude!'” Nick Lima laughed with the media. “But it is good to play against players like that, you can see the way he is thinking.”

Although they picked things up in the second half, the Quakes struggled to score much-needed goals, despite being given multiple chances. Vako danced around the defensive zone for some time in the 57th minute before giving up the ball, which then went to Jungwirth. He passed the ball to Eriksson effortlessly, who then gave it to Lima whose shot was deflected. In the 59th minute, Eriksson struck the ball directly toward the corner of the net, which was caught beautifully Bingham. Hoesen kicked the ball wide of net (to the left) in the 65th minute.

A penalty on Michael Ciani gave the Quakes a penalty kick opportunity. Wondolowski did the honor, giving the Quakes a long-awaited point and tying the score 3-3.

Shea Salinas stepped in for Lima in the 80th minute, during which Tarbell also made a solid save off of Jamieson, who made a breakaway in the 86th minute. It looked promising that LA would take the lead again. At the last second, though, the ball was shot left, wide of net.

Clearly in a panic, the Quakes hustled into LA’s defensive zone, where Wondolowski’s shot with 15 seconds left in regulation bounced off the post.

The game ended in a 3-3 draw, the Quakes’ third consecutive.

“I was quite direct in my instructions at halftime, if I am frank,” said Quakes head coach Mikael Stahre, who then explained that he was satisfied with the way the team played in the second half (they did not allow the Galaxy any additional goals after the three they tallied in 25 minutes).

The Quakes will head north for their next match against the Portland Timbers at Providence Park. The game will stream live at 8:00 p.m. PST.

Game Notes:

• Defender Harold Cummings and midfielder Anibal Godoy are absent due to international duty
• Danny Hoesen has recorded six goals and assists throughout June (10 goals in the last eight matches), trailing first-place Victor Vasquez (who has seven) of Toronto FC
• This was the first MLS match the Galaxy had competed in since June 9.

Earthquakes get shut out by Galaxy 1-0 in California Clasico

Photo credit: @LAGalaxy

By Pearl Allison Lo

CARSON, Calif. — It took a while, but Romain Alessandrini became the hero as Los Angeles won in the 82nd minute and defeated the San Jose Earthquakes in the first 2018 California Clasico at the StubHub Center Friday night.

Right after the Quakes made their first substitution in the 82nd minute, Alessandrini, who was tearful after, made the game’s first shot on target and converted.  It would be his third shot, a team-high. The last time Alessandrini scored was March 4th, the first game of the season.

It was close to being a different story though. In the 89th minute, the Quakes’ Danny Hoesen most likely would have had his fourth goal in a row, if goalie David Bingham did not deflect the ball, which hit the crossbar after. That was the only other shot on goal.

It was the Galaxy’s second 1-0 win in a row. The last time San Jose was blanked was May 5th. Both teams were struggling coming into the game in their last five.

Quakes’ coach Mikael Stahre evaluated the game, “…it was quite a good game. I think it was a game with lots of intensity and passion and I think we stood up in a good way and…we deserve at least a tie this evening.

Both teams were sporting the same uniform before the game, in support of the Major League Soccer’s Soccer For All initiative.

The first half saw a total of five shots. Attempts on both sides were matched by opposing players. The Quakes’ Vako had the most shots with three, but all were blocked.

Los Angeles’ Chris Pontius had a just wide header in the seventh minute.  

One of Vako’s shot hit Emrah Klimenta in the arm in the 21st minute, but there was no call.  

Shots picked up in the second half with a total of nine for the Galaxy and five for San Jose, but the defenses remained stalwart.

Alessandrini fell on his way to the net in the 51st minute.

Los Angeles’ Giovani dos Santos, who was questionable with an undisclosed injury, entered the game in the 75th minute.

When Vako was subbed out, he was the only player for San Jose with a shot, a total of five. At the end, Hoesen had two and Magnus Eriksson had one more.

Game Notes: Changes from last game for the Quakes were Shea Salinas, Vako and Chris Wondolowski put in the starting lineup.

The Galaxy were without a suspended Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Up Next: San Jose will look to right their ship when they face the Chicago Fire Saturday June 2 at 5:30 pm PST.

Thompson, Quakes outduel Kamar, Galaxy in 4-2 win

Photo credit: @SJEarthquakes

~ By Pearl Allison Lo

~ IRVINE — Both San Jose Earthquakes’ Tommy Thompson and Los Angeles Galaxy’s Ola Kamara scored braces, but the Earthquakes prevailed with a 4-2 California Clasico win over the Galaxy at Orange County Great Park Saturday.

It was a new location for the preseason exhibition between the teams.

Thompson scored his first two goals of the preseason in the 54th and 90th minutes, while Kamara scored his second and third goal of the preseason in the 36th and 74th minutes.

San Jose saw familiar faces at the opposite end of the field, in former goalie David Bingham and trialist Cordell Cato. Thompson replied, “Bingham and Cordell are my good friends. They’re great players, so it’s always fun to line up against somebody you have history with, so I enjoyed it out there.”

The four goals for the Quakes were a preseason high for this year, their previous being two. The Galaxy had scored three goals apiece in all their preseason games up until this one.

Los Angeles outshot San Jose in both halves, 10-8 and 12-7 for a total of 22-15.

Quakes’ head coach Mikael Stahre commented, “I’m happy to score four away goals for sure. I think the performance, especially in the second half was good, but in general, I think we conceded too many chances actually. It was an equal game. We were a little bit more effective obviously…I’m okay with this performance, but we have to be better in defense.”

San Jose goalkeeper Andrew Tarbell made five saves in the first half.

One of them included a head on chest save against Romain Alessandrini right before Alessandrini had to jump over Tarbell, followed by another Galaxy attempt off the rebound. Tarbell got his hands on it before the ball went back and was cleared by Shea Salinas in the 31st minute.

Pressure versus the Quakes continued to mount and finally paid dividends. Kamara took a pass from Emmanuel Boateng in front of the San Jose defenders and struck first in the game between Tarbell’s right leg and the near post.

The Quakes came up with a quick response though. After a throw-in to Giovani dos Santos, his pass was intercepted and the kick went to Chris Wondolowski who made a bit of a straightaway shot past a diving Bingham. Ashley Cole tried going into the net to save the ball, but it was too late.

San Jose continued scoring with two swift goals when the first half players combined with second half substitutes, those two being Alashe and Thompson who entered at halftime.  

First, Bingham made an initial save as he slid to stop Wondolowski, but the rebound went to Thompson who headed the ball into the net to give their first lead in the 54th minute.

The Quakes then extended their advantage in the 55th minute. Thompson had the initial run to get into Los Angeles’ zone.  Danny Hoesen made the shot and the ensuing rebounds ended off Faita Alashe’s head into the net to make it 4-2.

The Galaxy edged closer when G. dos Santos crossed the ball to Ashley Cole and Tarbell followed to defend Cole. With the net open, Cole kicked the ball across the net, San Jose’s Yeferson Quintana got a touch on it and Kamara found net at the right side for his brace.

Alessandrini nearly tied the game up as he went just wide in the 87th minute.

Thompson tallied his second when Chris Wehan, who entered in the 78th minute, slid the ball from the left as Thompson received and moved the ball forward for the 4-2 score, followed by a celebration. Thompson laughed, “I saw they danced a little bit when they scored, so after I scored the first one I thought ‘man why didn’t I dance’ and so once I got the second one I’m like, ‘Alright. I guess I have to now.’”

Up Next: San Jose conclude their preseason with a closed-door matchup versus their Reno USL affiliate again on February 22 at Avaya Stadium.