Ahead of Saturday's massive California Clasico between the San Jose Earthquakes and LA Galaxy (10 pm ET, ESPN2), we asked three former Quakes for their most memorable moments in the big rivalry.
WATCH: Quakes come back vs. LA, 2003
1. Jeff Agoos (San Jose 2001-04): SJ 5, LA 2, November 9, 2003
“The 5-4 aggregate comeback in 2003. No doubt. That entire season we somehow found ways to come back in games that we should never have had a chance. So the feeling at halftime after we cut LA's lead in half was that we were just going to go for it. I remember that we couldn't wait to get back out for the second half. And when Jamil Walker scored the third aggregate goal — which cut LA’s lead to one — we knew that we going to find a way to get back to even.
2. Jimmy Conrad (San Jose 2000-02): LA 2, SJ 3, April 7, 2001
“The first game of the year in 2001 at the Rose Bowl. We were the worst team in MLS in 2000, and LA was coming off winning the CONCACAF Champions' Cup. But we went up 3-0 at halftime! It ended up 3-2, but I knew then that we had a good team. And we went on to prove it as we beat — who else? — LA in the MLS Cup final.
3. Kelly Gray (San Jose 2005, 2008-09) SJ 3, LA 0, June 25, 2005
“The first game in 2005. It was Landon Donovan’s first game back at Spartan Stadium. Fans were crazy in the stands. LD dolls, signs, that kind of stuff. The passion of the fans was amazing. The hatred for him because he had supposedly abandoned the Quakes. We won that game 3-1. And LA had two own goals! It was vindication for everyone because, you know, LD left but… Of course, they beat us in the playoffs that year.”
Check back tomorrow for a special Friday edition of the Three for Thursday with three great moments from ex-Galaxy players.
