CARSON, Calif. – The LA Galaxy have a 5-1-4 record and are riding an eight-game unbeaten streak heading into Sunday’s California Clásico against the San Jose Earthquakes (5-3-3) at StubHub Center (4 p.m., Fox Sports 1). But they’re not exactly satisfied with their current run of form.
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Far from it, actually.
Head coach Bruce Arena said his team has been “OK” and “a little inconsistent.” Not including a 1-0 defeat at Colorado on March 12 – their lone loss of the season – the Galaxy have allowed opponents to score the first goal six times this season. Two of those goals have occurred within the first four minutes, including an opening-minute strike by Houston’s David Horst on April 15. The Galaxy, however, rallied for an impressive 4-1 victory.
“It’s kind of actually remarkable given the fact that we generally give the other team the lead to start games,” Arena told reporters after training Friday. “We might as well just start on Sunday with 1-0 on the scoreboard.”
Steven Gerrard agreed with Arena’s summation of the team’s recent performances.
“That’s Bruce, he’s a perfectionist,” Gerrard said. “That’s him pushing us.”
The Galaxy enter Sunday’s matchup with an impressive home record against their bitter rival. They are 3-0-2 against San Jose at StubHub Center since the 2012 Western Conference semifinals, which the Galaxy rallied to win 3-2 on aggregate after dropping the series opener 1-0 at StubHub. The Galaxy also have outscored the Earthquakes 13-5 at home since that two-game showdown.
Robbie Keane, who missed five games earlier this season after undergoing knee surgery, said he has been pleased with the Galaxy’s play of late.
Sort of, anyway.
“We’re not setting the world alight,” he said. “But there are certainly signs that you can see that the team is definitely moving in the right direction.”
The Galaxy are expected to have nearly a full squad available this weekend. Midfielder Nigel de Jong, just off a three-game suspension and a minor leg injury, should be ready to go Sunday. Forward Alan Gordon (groin) was the lone player listed on the league’s injury report. The Earthquakes, on the other hand, listed four players out, including defender Clarence Goodson (back tightness).
But they will have available forward Chris Wondolowski, who has seven goals and signed a new two-year contract Friday, and midfielder Alberto Quintero, who has three goals and two assists.
Sunday’s game is getting its share of attention because of a rivalry that has been hotly contested, to say the least. Arena agreed there is plenty of appeal to go around.
“I think the fan bases of both clubs love this game. It’s very important to them,” he said. “For players, I think the way the league is now, every game’s important, and playing at home makes it even more important.
“It means something.”
LA GALAXY VS. SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES
STUBHUB CENTER | Carson, California
MAY 22, 2016 (WEEK 12, MLS GAME #123)
4 p.m. PT (FS1, FOX Deportes)
- The Galaxy return to action after a weekend off, scoring multiple goals for the fourth time in the last five matches last time out, a 2-2 draw at Philadelphia Union on May 11. The Galaxy have scored 16 goals in the last five games; they lead MLS with 24 goals for the season.
- The Quakes also return to action after putting an end to a brief two-game winless run last time out, a 3-1 win against the Houston Dynamo on May 11 at Avaya Stadium. Alberto Quintero scored a pair of goals – both set up by Chris Wondolowski – the first two-goal game of his MLS career.
- The teams are meeting for a second time this season. Gyasi Zardes scored a pair of goals to lead the Galaxy to a 3-1 win March 19 at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif.
- The Quakes haven’t won in Carson since the 2012 season, a 3-2 win on May 23. Since then, the Galaxy have won three of the five league meetings at StubHub Center, with two draws. A year ago, the Galaxy claimed a 5-2 win June 17 at StubHub Center – the most goals scored in a league game in the 20 seasons of the rivalry.
- The Quakes won both home meetings between the teams last season, including a 1-0 win Aug. 28 at Avaya Stadium in the first match played there between the clubs. The Galaxy have won just once in the last 12 regular season meetings in northern California, across four stadiums – a 1-0 victory June 28, 2014 at Stanford Stadium. The Quakes finished undefeated against the Galaxy in league play at their former Buck Shaw Stadium home, with two wins and three draws in five matches there.
REFEREE: TBD | AR1 (bench): TBD; AR2 (opposite): TBD; 4th: TBD
