Earthquakes’ offense struggles in California Clásico as winless streak extends to nine with loss to LA Galaxy
STANFORD — While the Earthquakes certainly played much better than they had in a long time, it wasn’t enough to beat the LA Galaxy as San Jose’s offense went mute against its in-state rivals.
L.A.’s attack proved to be too much as the Galaxy defeated the Quakes 3-0 in the 101st California Clásico at Stanford Stadium on Saturday night.
The Quakes outshot the Galaxy 17-14 and had six on goal, but couldn’t convert.
San Jose had opportunities aplenty in the first half, but couldn’t find the back of the net.
In the 22nd minute, Galaxy midfielder Mark Delgado was given a yellow card after a hard foul on Amahl Pellegrino. On the ensuing free kick, Cristian Espinoza found Daniel Munie near the goal area but Munie’s header was just off as it fell into the hands Galaxy goalkeeper John McCarthy.
Later in the half, Espinoza found a cutting Jackson Yueill near the right side of the box who then hit an open Jeremy Ebobisse in front of the goal. Ebobisse seemed to have a clear shot on goal, but fumbled the pass and his shot went over the top of the goal post and out of bounds.m
Ebobisse’s struggles continued in the 37th minute. On a corner kick, the ball ricocheted off a Galaxy defender and into the feet of the 27-year-old striker. But as Ebobisse tried to coral the ball, he slipped and allowed the Galaxy to get a break away opportunity.
Speeding down the field, Galaxy attacker Gabriel Pec found Joseph Paintsil who fired a left-footed shot that hit the bottom left corner to score his sixth goal of the season and put the Galaxy up 1-0 before the half ended.
San Jose had a total of nine shots in the first half with three being on goal, but couldn’t find the net.
The Quakes offensive woes continued in the second half, and with Ebobisse struggling, head coach Ian Russell substituted former Galaxy attacker Preston Judd at the 60th minute.
A minute into entering the match, Judd found himself one-on-one with McCarthy after Benjamin Kikanovic found him streaking up the right side of the field. Judd had a clean look on the right side of the penalty box, but his right-footed tap went wide right.
L.A.’s dagger came in the 72nd minute.
Midfielder Riqui Puig, who subbed into the game in the second half, found a clean look from outside the middle of the penalty box. Puig’s shot barely missed, hitting the top of the crossbar, but on the rebound, Dejan Joveljic’s header found the net to put the Quakes away for good as he scored his 12th goal of the season.
The Galaxy added one more goal in the 91st minute for good measure after Mauricio Cuevas scored on a cross from Miki Yamane.
With Saturday’s loss, the Quakes dropped to 3-15-2 and are now winless in their last nine which include five straight losses. The Galaxy notched their 40th win in the California Clásico.
San Jose will be on the road next week when it plays St. Louis SC on July 3.