Major League Soccer’s fiercest rivalry reconvenes on Friday when the LA Galaxy face the San Jose Earthquakes in the first California Clásico of 2018.
Rivals since the league’s inception in 1996, the Galaxy and Earthquakes have faced off in many legendary matches still discussed among the club’s respective fan bases. The Galaxy lead the all-time series with San Jose.
The top five moments in Cali Clásico history are below.
GERRARD OPENS HIS ACCOUNT IN THE HIGHEST-SCORING CLÁSICO
LA Galaxy 5, San Jose Earthquakes 2 (July 17, 2015)
The LA Galaxy and San Jose Earthquakes are no strangers to wild matches, but the two teams played the highest-scoring game in the history of the rivalry a year ago.
Quincy Amarikwa put San Jose up with a brace in the opening 25 minutes, but the Galaxy quickly roared back. New signing Steven Gerrard was instrumental in the comeback winning a penalty to pull LA within one, scoring the equalizer, and then assisting on Robbie Keane’s second of the evening to put the Galaxy ahead for good. Keane added his third and Sebastian Lletget rounded out the scoring to complete the highest scoring match in the California Clásico's history.
With his goal, Gerrard joined David Beckham and Robbie Keane as players who opened their account against the Earthquakes. Former captain Jelle Van Damme joined this list with his tally in June.
THE FIRST CALI CLÁSICO
Los Angeles Galaxy 2, San Jose Clash 1 (April 28, 1996)
A new chapter was added to the historic sports rivalry between Northern and Southern California when the LA Galaxy faced off against the San Jose Clash in April 1996 at the famed Rose Bowl.
The two teams met for the first time on April 28, 1996, with the Galaxy defeating their Northern California foes, 2-1 on goals by Jose Vasquez and Mauricio Cienfuegos. The Salvadoran’s winner was a brilliant finish, as Cienfuegos buried a curling 25-yard free kick past Clash goalkeeper Tom Liner.
Los Angeles swept all four matches against the Clash in 1996 maintaining a perfect 4-0-0 record. The two teams met again in the postseason with the Galaxy eliminating the Earthquakes in a dramatic three-game series to qualify for the Western Conference Finals.
ROBBIE KEANE OPENS HIS ACCOUNT
LA Galaxy 2, San Jose Earthquakes 0 (August 20, 2011)
Robbie Keane began his illustrious career with the LA Galaxy with a goal in his league debut against the San Jose Earthquakes back in 2011.
Signed to ignite a stalled Galaxy offense, Keane had an immediate impact when he found the back of the net in the 21st minute of Los Angeles’ 2-0 victory over the Earthquakes in August 2011. The goal was vintage Keane as the Irishman floated behind a Quakes defender to receive a David Beckham pass before rounding the goalkeeper for his first goal of his MLS career.
Keane dominated the Earthquakes during his time with the Galaxy with 10 goals and four assists in 15 career appearances against San Jose.
THE COMEBACK
LA Galaxy 3, San Jose Earthquakes 1 (November 7, 2012)
The San Jose Earthquakes believed that they were destined for league immortality after winning the Supporters’ Shield in 2012, only to have their old foes, the LA Galaxy halt their magical run in the 2012 Western Conference Semifinal.
The Earthquakes headed into the second leg at Buck Shaw Stadium up 1-0 on aggregate after Victor Bernardez’s late winner in Los Angeles, but the Galaxy came alive in San Jose. Los Angeles quickly silenced the raucous San Jose crowd with two goals from Robbie Keane and a tally from Mike Magee to take a 3-1 aggregate advantage heading into the second half.
San Jose striker Alan Gordon scored in the dying minutes to give San Jose life, but it wasn’t enough as Los Angeles advanced to the Conference Final. Following their dramatic series win over the Earthquakes, the Galaxy roared forward to win their fourth MLS Cup title.
MAGEE BECOMES A LEGEND
San Jose Earthquakes 0, LA Galaxy 0 (June 25, 2011 )
Mike Magee solidified his place in LA Galaxy and California Clásico lore when he stepped in between the pipes and shut down the San Jose Earthquakes.
The Galaxy found themselves in crisis mode in the 43rd minute of the match when goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts (injury) and Josh Saunders (red card) were both unavailable. Without a proper goalkeeper, the Galaxy turned to Magee, who donned Saunders’ uniform and stepped in goal. San Jose pressed the forward throughout the second half, but Magee proved up to the task, making three saves and keeping a shutout, as the match ended in a scoreless draw.
Magee’s stint in goal was only one of his many successes against the Earthquakes, as the forward has scored three goals and three assists in 12 Cali Clásico appearances.
