Earthquakes have plenty at stake in rivalry with Galaxy

A year later, the Quakes scored twice in stoppage time to beat their Southern California rivals 3-2.

Last season’s 1-0 loss notwithstanding, San Jose has made a point to return to Stanford for one of American soccer’s premier rivalry games, the California Clasico, and will do so Saturday night.

The Quakes sit in seventh place in the Western Conference, two points behind Sporting K.C. and outside the Western Conference playoff picture, but still just four points behind fourth-place FC Dallas.

For two Quakes — forward Adam Jahn and midfielder JJ Koval — the game is something of a homecoming.

Both played at Stanford before being selected by San Jose in the MLS Superdraft, and the opportunity to return to campus and play before a sold-out crowd of 50,000 isn’t being taken for granted.

Having spent years in the Bay Area before playing for the Earthquakes, each understands the importance of the match, but doesn’t intend to let the larger crowd affect him or the team’s focus.

England’s Steven Gerrard, a recent MLS signee, is not yet on Los Angeles’ active roster, but the Galaxy still sport plenty of familiar faces, including Ireland’s Robbie Keane and former U.S. national-team players Omar Gonzalez and Gyasi Zardes.

The Quakes’ main man is Chris Wondolowski, who recently was named to the U.S. national team’s 23-player Gold Cup roster, alongside Gonzalez and Zardes.