Galaxy-Earthquakes Preview
The San Jose Earthquakes have blanked their last two opponents while continuing a stretch where they've consistently earned points.
Their chances of recording another shutout appear doubtful Saturday night at Stanford Stadium in the California Clasico against the Los Angeles Galaxy, who will try to continue an incredible scoring binge while earning their first road win since August.
San Jose (6-5-4) picked up at least one point for the seventh time in eight games with a 2-0 win in Seattle last Saturday. The Earthquakes are 3-1-4 in that stretch and also beat Sacramento on penalty kicks in their U.S. Open Cup opener June 16.
"It was a good week for us with the U.S. Open Cup win, then coming to a tough place and getting the full three points," coach Dominic Kinnear said. "We're kind of on the outside looking in as far as the playoff picture goes. It's good to get this win and start catching up on some teams."
The Earthquakes are six points behind third-place Los Angeles, which went 1-0-2 in the 2014 season series and is 2-0-3 in the last five matchups. The Galaxy, though, are 0-6-7 in their past 13 away from home and have settled for draws in the last two after holding a lead in each one.
They've also registered just two victories in the past 17 regular-season road games against San Jose.
Los Angeles (7-5-7) now hits the road following a string of high-scoring games. The Galaxy won 6-1 in the U.S. Open Cup against PSA Elite on June 17 before a 5-1 victory over Philadelphia last Saturday and a 5-0 win against Portland on Wednesday.
Five different players scored in each of those league games. Juninho had a goal in both and Bay Area native Sebastian Lletget has four in his last four games across all competitions.
"I'm just doing my job," Lletget told the league's official website. "(Coach Bruce Arena) has given me the chance, and I'm just doing what I think I can do. If that is bringing creativity to the team, I think that's what I'm doing.
"I can't wait 'til the next one. I can't wait 'til San Jose. I know it's my hometown, so it's a little special one for me."
These teams meet again in U.S. Open Cup play Wednesday at San Jose's new Avaya Stadium, where the Earthquakes are 3-1-1.