CARSON, Calif. – The LA Galaxy will face San Jose Earthquakes in the first California Clásico of 2016 on Saturday evening.
To get you ready for tonight’s match, we look at a collection of links and matchups to watch.
LINKS AND NOTES
Alan Gordon is expecting to be available after suffering a neck injury. Bruce Arena declared him "back" in training earlier this week.
Ahead of the first Cali Clasico of 2016, look back at the four matches the two teams played last year.
Giovani dos Santos is "unlikely" to play against San Jose, according to head coach Bruce Arena.
The latest edition of By the Numbers looks at the Galaxy dominance at home against the Quakes.
Dan Kennedy remains sidelined with a groin injury, so reigning MLS Save of the Week winner Brian Rowe will return in goal for the third match.
Ashley Cole is expecting to be back in the fold for the match against the Earthquakes.
*LAGalaxy.com's Larry Morgan provides a preview of the Clásico.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH
Chris Wondolowski vs. Jelle Van Damme
All eyes will be on Van Damme's first-ever meeting with the Earthquakes' striker. The Galaxy's Belgian defender will need to be mindful of Wondolowski, who has made a career of finding spaces behind defenders.
Robbie Keane vs. Victor Bernadez
Keane will look to enjoy another successful evening against the Earthquakes when he lines up against Bernardez and the Quakes defense. The Irishman is the current active leading goal scorer in Cali Clasico history with seven regular season goals.
WHAT THEY SAID
"These two teams, especially the fan bases, they hate each other. It's very intense; we take it very seriously as players and as an organization. No one wants to lose to their rivals. I know from playing in San Jose that this is one that they want to win. They want to take us down, they think that we get all the breaks in MLS, and we get all these things like the Galaxy. That we have "primadonnas" as at one point, Wondo said. They want to take us down, so it's our job, as the Galaxy to retain our top spot and take out San Jose. They're always trying to chop at us, so we want to take them down. I want to give something to Galaxy fans. I want to help the Galaxy beat San Jose. I know that there was a lot of hard feelings for what I did on the other side of this rivalry, and I want to give back to the fans. I want to contribute this weekend and anytime that we play San Jose, it's very personal for me that I do well in these games."
- Alan Gordon
