San Jose Earthquakes vs LA Galaxy

PayPal Park forms the backdrop for a lopsided Major League Soccer encounter between San Jose Earthquakes and Los Angeles Galaxy.

Despite a substantial gap in the teams’ current places in the Western Conference, San Jose cannot take this match-up lightly after two consecutive MLS defeats allowed 10th-placed Portland Timbers to reduce the distance to only five points. The ‘Quakes’ remain in firm control of their playoff fate, though, in spite of their underwhelming run of one win from their last five league matches (D2, L2). Even the upcoming home return won’t guarantee a road back to winning ways, with Luchi Gonzalez’s side only managing one victory in their four most recent MLS contests at PayPal Park (D2, L1). On top of that, the hosts have lost their last two home meetings with Galaxy, conceding precisely three goals in both defeats.

However, those days are long gone for LA Galaxy, who come into proceedings on the back of three consecutive MLS draws. As one of two teams in the Western Conference yet to hit a 20-point milestone this season (15), they must make up significant ground on 9th-placed Vancouver Whitecaps. Worryingly for manager Greg Vanney, his men have claimed just one win on their ten league travels in 2023 (D4, L5), netting a humiliating average of 0.5 goals per fixture. Galaxy’s bid to avoid another underwhelming outcome will hinge on how they enter the game, considering they’ve only managed one point from five MLS away matches in which they’ve conceded first this season (D1, L4). A goalless draw at Colorado Rapids on their most recent league travel marked Galaxy’s first clean sheet in seven top-flight away games.