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Galaxy And Earthquakes Draw at StubHub Center

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In the second edition of this season’s “Cali Clasico,” the LA Galaxy and the San Jose Earthquakes faced off at the StubHub Center.

Nigel De Jong returned to the starting lineup for LA as the Dutchman played alongside Steven Gerrard in the middle of the field. Brian Rowe was also given the nod ahead of Dan Kennedy, who started for the Galaxy in a 2-2 draw in Philadelphia on May 11.

 

In the first meeting between the two rivals back in March, the Galaxy dominated its way to a 3-1 win at home. On that day, Gyasi Zardes scored two and Keane added the third in the form of a stoppage time penalty kick.

Keane had the first real chance of the game after a cross from Gerrard found the captain unmarked and about six yards from goal, but saw his header bounce over the crossbar. Rowe, who has had a great year in goal for LA, made a big save on a volley from Earthquakes captain Chris Wondolowski.

Both teams exchanged attacks without much threat until a foul by Jelle Van Damme on Dawkins, but Wondolowski’s free kick was headed behind for a corner by a defender in the wall. In the 38th minute, Wondolowski rattled the crossbar after the striker got in behind Daniel Steres to try and poke it by Rowe.

During the two minutes of first half stoppage time, Giovani Dos Santos had an attempt on goal that went straight into the hands of David Bingham. Moments before the halftime whistle, Wondolowski found himself in another great area, but rocketed the ball over the crossbar from six yards away to end the half 0-0.

The Galaxy started the second half with pace, getting an early corner kick. Dos Santos was generally quiet in the first half, but the Mexican international was of more use to Bruce Arena’s men in the second half as he got plenty of touches within the first ten minutes of the half.

The Galaxy’s first substitute of the afternoon was Sebastian Lletget, who replaced Mike Magee in the 65th minute. The match had slowed down during the second half, and Lletget had the chance to be an impactful substitute to instil some energy into the Galaxy.

LA nearly got on the scoreboard after a low Robbie Rogers cross was nearly turned into the San Jose net off of Victor Bernandez.

Dos Santos nailed the crossbar with a left-footed half-volley from about 20 yards from goal. The No. 10 struck it well from a central position with his left foot as the ball swerved out to his left, beating Bingham but was did not stay underneath the woodwork.

 

In the 77th minute, Keane came agonizingly close as the Irishman snuck in behind the San Jose defense on the right side, but his shot across the goal was blocked with the right hand of Bingham. Moments after, Dos Santos rocketed a chance with his weaker right foot over the bar.

Lletget came close as well after a needle-threading ball by Dos Santos, but Lletget’s cross in front of goal was pawed away by Bingham. Gerrard had an attempt on the rebound, but was unable to get much behind his shot.

The breakthrough for LA came in the 83rd minute after Lletget crossed one in front of the face of goal where Marvell Wynne stuck out his right leg and rolled the ball into the net. The goal prompted the substitution of former Galaxy striker Chad Barrett for the Earthquakes.

The Earthquakes equalized through with a Fatai Alashe header off of a Barrett cross. Jeff Larentowicz entered the match for De Jong following the tying goal.

Three minutes of stoppage time were added as Alan Gordon came in for Dos Santos. The 34-year-old has played for both teams and has earned the reputation of a “super sub” for his late game-winning goals.

Neither side was able to find a winner and the teams each left with a point each. Galaxy players looked visibly disappointed following the final whistle as the match finished 1-1. The Galaxy takes on the Montreal Impact on Saturday May 28 in Montreal.

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