SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES VS. LA GALAXY
Records: Earthquakes (7-7-6, tied for fourth in the Western Conference); Galaxy (3-9-6, 13th in the Western Conference)
When: Saturday 7:30 p.m., Stanford Stadium
Streaming: Apple TV
Radio: The Spread (810) and KZSF (1370)
Series history: Galaxy leads, 45-33-18.
Storylines: This is the second meeting of the season between the regional rivals, with the Quakes allowing two second-half goals in a 2-1 loss at LA in May. At that time the Quakes were red-hot and the Galaxy off to the worst start in club history, and the trajectories of the teams hasn’t changed since the teams last met. San Jose has gone 2-3-3 in its past eight matches, and just past the midway point in the season is positioning to make the MLS playoffs for the first time since 2020. The Galaxy is 1-3-3 since beating the Quakes, is fighting to stay out of last place in the Western Conference, and has played to a draw in three straight games. … The Quakes have lost their past two matches against LA. Much of the Quakes’ success this season has been their play at home: they are 6-1-3 at PayPal Park. Saturday night’s game is at Stanford Stadium but is considered a home game. The Quakes are 5-2-2 all-time at Stanford Stadium against the Galaxy, including four come-from-behind victories. LA won the most recent meeting at Stanford, 3-2 last September. Javier Hernandez, who scored twice in that match for LA, is out after tearing a ligament in his knee during a match last month. … San Jose’s Cristian Espinoza and the Galaxy’s Riqui Puig were named to the 26-man roster for the MLS All-Star Game on July 19 against Arsenal FC. … Espinoza leads the Quakes with eight goals and four assists. Jeremy Ebobisse has two goals over the last 10 games. … LA has scored just 16 goals this season, fewer than every MLS team except Colorado (14). The Galaxy’s goal differential of minus-13 is the worst in the league.
— Bay Area News Group
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Source: www.mercurynews.com