Rivalry Week concludes on Sunday with two of the most bitter adversaries in Major League Soccer, the Los Angeles Galaxy and San Jose Earthquakes, going toe-to-toe at Dignity Health Sports Park in the first California Clasico of 2023.
The Galaxy have been one of the biggest disappointments this year, currently second from the bottom in the Western Conference, losing their previous domestic encounter 3-1 against the Colorado Rapids, while the Goonies have been one of the biggest surprises, currently fourth in the conference following a 2-1 win over Los Angeles FC.
Match preview
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If there is one MLS side that have yet to live up to its pre-season hype, the Galaxy would be near the top of that list, racking up a mere six points after 10 domestic affairs, the fewest for this club at this stage of a campaign.
Following a pair of managerial sackings earlier this week, Greg Vanney has to be feeling the heat as the LA coach has struggled to get his players to buy in to a fundamental possession-based style, while they continue to have glaring holes along the backline, conceding the second-most goals in the Western Conference (17).
They have a little momentum heading into this encounter, winning two of their previous three home fixtures in all competitions, including an impressive 3-1 victory over the Western Conference-leading Seattle Sounders at the US Open Cup on Wednesday.
Over a quarter of the way through the campaign, this group have failed to develop much chemistry despite possessing plenty of creative players in the middle of the park.
They lead the league regarding key passes (124) but have been too timid and indecisive in the attacking third, scoring the third-fewest goals in MLS (eight).
LA have conceded the opening goal in six domestic fixtures this year, losing all four of their regular season encounters in which they have trailed at the interval.
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After 11 matches this season, the Quakes have looked entirely different from past campaigns, claiming 18 points so far, their highest total to this stage of an MLS regular season since 2016 (18).
Luchi Gonzalez has not only changed the mentality of this team, but he has also got this group to play a highly-skilled and effective attacking approach, which has paid dividends of late.
That has rebuilt the Quakes' reputation as an appealing team to watch, though that approach has also left them short at the back, with San Jose allowing plenty of quality scoring opportunities to their opponents.
Their backline has looked particularly vulnerable away from home, where this team have conceded 11 of their 14 goals in the regular season.
Despite several lean years for the club in recent memory, the Goonies have always seemed to be at their best when travelling to Carson City for the California Clasico, winning three of their last four visits to Dignity Health Sports Park, scoring multiple goals in five of their previous six matches played there.
So far in 2023, the Quakes have been in a winning position in three of its five away games, but they have yet to claim all three points, conceding four times beyond the 75th minute, losing to Atlanta United (2-1), while drawing the New York Red Bulls (1-1) and Austin FC (2-2).
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Team News
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Douglas Costa and Chris Mavinga might each be unavailable for the Galaxy this Sunday as they both have lower leg injuries, while Jonathan Bond returned from his shoulder injury this week, replacing Jonathan Klinsmann in goal at the US Open Cup.
In their previous domestic encounter last Saturday, Preston Judd recorded his first MLS goal for the Galaxy, while Chicharito and Riqui Puig both scored in their 2-0 home victory versus Austin FC.
A brace from Memo Rodriguez and a goal by Julian Aude helped propel the Galaxy into the round of 16 at the US Open Cup, with Dejan Joveljic and Tyler Boyd each collecting an assist.
Niko Tsakiris was on the bench for San Jose in their previous match but did not see the field due to an adductor strain, Carlos Akapo was missing with a sore hamstring and Nathan has an ACL injury.
Cristian Espinoza may be the early frontrunner for league MVP, with the Argentine scoring twice to hand the reigning MLS Cup champions their first defeat of the regular season, moving into a tie for the Golden Boot lead alongside Denis Bouanga and Jordan Morris (eight), while Jeremy Ebobisse had an assist last weekend, as he and Espinoza have now been involved in 50 of the 67 Quakes goals since 2022 (74.6%).
In their previous road fixture this season, Ebobisse and Jackson Yueill each found the back of the net in a draw versus the Verde and Black.
Los Angeles Galaxy possible starting lineup:
Bond; Calegari, Caceres, Coulibaly, Aude; Alvarez, Delgado, Puig, Edwards; Chicharito, Judd
San Jose Earthquakes possible starting lineup:
Marcinkowski; Marie, Mensah, Beason, Trauco; Yueill, Gruezo, Monteiro; Espinoza, Ebobisse, Cowell
We say: Los Angeles Galaxy 2-1 San Jose Earthquakes
While the Quakes are in much better form domestically than LA, their defensive shape has not looked solid away from home.
Chicharito is back to 100%, and we expect his quality and leadership will spark this team to victory against perhaps their most hated rivals.
How to watch
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Top tip
Joel Lefevre
