The LA Galaxy clashed with longtime rivals San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday at Stanford Stadium, marking the 10th meeting between the teams at the venue, which ended in a 2-2 draw.
The Galaxy’s unbeaten streak was extended to five games, including one victory and four consecutive draws.
Despite walking away with split points on the road, Galaxy head coach Greg Vanney feels like the chance for three points was taken from LA due to VAR.
Late in the second half LA’s Daniel Aguirre was fouled in the box, which was later reviewed and overturned by VAR.
“Once you make the call, there is an extraordinary threshold that it takes to change that call back once you’ve made that call. And the reality is, is that the player with his first leg, fouls the player, and his back leg, knee, maybe catches a little bit of the ball after he fouls the player,” Vanney said. “This is a foul.”
The team utilized a 4-3-3 lineup for the 97th edition of the Cali Clasico against San Jose, having previously experimented with a 5-3-2 formation last week against Colorado due to recent injuries in the backline.
“As it stands, we’re more comfortable as a group in a shape that we’ve traditionally gone with,” Vanney said after the result. “We get a little bit stretched from front to back because we’re not really moving together specifically. But, I was proud of the group in general.”
The Galaxy (3-9-7) took an early lead in the 31st minute when Raheem Edwards netted his first goal of the season, courtesy of an assist from Douglas Costa. Costa took the corner kick and placed the ball where all Edwards needed to do was flick in the header to capitalize on the set piece.
However, the Earthquakes (7-7-7) quickly retaliated after a costly giveaway by Chris Mavinga gave San Jose’s Jack Skahan the opportunity to equalize the game at 1-1 just before the break, in the 42nd minute.
The Galaxy swiftly regained their lead in the opening moments of the second half as Preston Judd found the back of the net for third goal of the season. The goal was assisted by Costa and newly-named All-Star Riqui Puig and solidified Judd’s position as the Galaxy’s leading goal scorer in MLS play this year.
“Preston [Judd] is a big, powerful, strong runner. Physically, he’s a handful in 1-on-1 situations for defenders. His ability to threaten behind the backline and transition moments specifically is unique and different,” Vanney said.
In his return to the starting XI, Costa showcased his prowess up front by providing assists for both Galaxy goals.
“I think that I am on a good streak right now, because after suffering a lot of injuries, right now I am playing soccer with a lot of joy,” Costa said afterwards.
San Jose fought back and managed to salvage a point when the club’s leading goal scorer this year, Cristian Espinoza scored his ninth goal of the season in the 81st minute.
Next, the Galaxy will turn their attention to hosting their newest rival, LAFC at the iconic Rose Bowl on the 4th of July, which is expected to break the all-time MLS attendance record.
