Rivalry Weak: LA Galaxy 1, San Jose Earthquakes 2

The LA Galaxy hosted the San Jose Earthquakes, as the Cali Clasico kicked off rivalry week in the MLS on Friday. San Jose came in looking to throw their hat into the playoff race with a win, while the Galaxy were looking to keep the pressure on near the top of the West. In the end, it was the Quakes who had luck go their way, with a late Galaxy own goal, winning 2-1.

It was the visitors who came out with a forceful first half. Putting together a few good looks while keeping the Galaxy from getting behind their defense. While they controlled most of the half, a strong finish the final ten minutes from the Galaxy gave the half a bit more balance.

A big reason for the Quakes being kept off the scoresheet in the first half was Galaxy ‘keeper Jonathan Bond. The Englishman put together several big stops, none more so than in the final moments of the half. On the best look of the night for either side, Jeremy Ebobisse was denied the goal not once, but twice.

The second half began with Bond providing everyone with a replay of his earlier highlight. With not one, but two, incredible stops to quell the fiery start from the visitors.

Unfortunately, Bond couldn't save them all, and in the 52nd minute, Ebobisse got his goal. The goal gave the visitors the lead, but it also opened the match up a bit. It took less than 15 minutes for the Galaxy to find the equalizer.

That would be the last highlight for the home side, as a Niko Hämäläinen own goal in the 70th minute gave San Jose the lead, and eventual three points. The win puts the Quakes firmly in the playoff race, while the loss for the Galaxy keeps them in third, but just one point clear of the Colorado Rapids. The team will have to take this loss into the MLS All-Star week. Their next MLS test comes in another rivalry match, as the Galaxy travel cross town to visit LAFC next Saturday.

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