San Jose, CA (August 29, 2015) – It was a rough night at the office for the Los Angeles Galaxy. A rough patch in the first half led to a San Jose Earthquakes goal. An early second half red card complicated things further. With that, the Quakes took the regular season series in the final scheduled Cali Clasico of 2015.
The opening 15 minutes were level between the two sides, as the LA Galaxy had a good start for a road game. Gyasi Zardes had a header go just wide in the opening minute. Clarence Goodson and Giovani dos Santos met up on several occasions with physical tackles and fouls called. For the most part of the night, Goodson did well marking Dos Santos and preventing the Mexican International from creating chances.
With the teams playing level, the Quakes turned it on. Shea Salinas found several ways to get loose against Zardes and AJ DeLaGarza down the flank. With the Galaxy weathering the storm, Quincy Amarikwa headed a cross towards goal. Donovan Rickets deflected it out and Salinas headed it into the net in the 18th minute. Amarikwa was able to get past Leonardo and Omar Gonzalez was caught ball watching.
The Quakes continued continued to possess the ball and attack the rest of the half. The Galaxy did well to absorb pressure and counter. Rickets did well coming off his line to break up chances.
In the 38th minute, Marvell Wynne sent a cross into the box, and Chris Wondolowski headed the ball off the post. Wondolowski collided with DeLaGarza on the play. The medical staff came out to treat him but he quickly returned to the match.
The half ended 1-0 with the shots with the Galaxy leading the shot total, 6-4.
The start of the second half began disastrously for the LA Galaxy. In the 47th minute, the Quakes took a quick restart up field. Amarikwa caught the LA Galaxy back line off guard. He ended up in a foot race on goal against Leonardo. Leonardo put a hand to the striker, the two collided, and went down.
Head Referee Jose Carlos Rivero trailed the play. He checked with his fourth official, Ismail Elfath, before reaching for his back pocket. Leonardo was sent off for denial of goal scoring opportunity. Gonzalez was trailing the play but clearly behind both Amarikwa and Leonardo.
Down a man, the Galaxy had trouble doing more than creating half chances on counters. The Quakes continued to possess the ball for long stretches but did not press as hard in the attack as they did in the first half.
In the 58th minute, DeLaGarza exited with knee injury as a precautionary substitute. The knee injury was caused by contact with Amarikwa.
With time running out the LA Galaxy gradually threw more numbers forward trying to create a goal down a man. Alan Gordon was subbed on in the 76th minute. The match ended 1-0.
The LA Galaxy have an off week before hosting the Montreal Impact on September 12th. The Quakes turn to the Philadelphia Union, who they host on September 5th. Kick off is set for 7:30 PM PST.
Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images
