CARSON, Calif. – Alan Gordon has been counting down the days to the LA Galaxy's final California Clasico showdown this season with San Jose since returning to Southern California a month ago.
The big forward terrorized the Galaxy during three seasons with the Earthquakes, scoring four goals off the bench (two of them winners to complete big comebacks) in seven Clasicos, and he can't wait to see what he can do on the other side when they face off Sunday afternoon at Buck Shaw Stadium (3 pm ET; Unimas).
“It's a lot more meaningful [than most games],” said Gordon, who has three goals in seven games since LA acquired him from the Quakes in an Aug. 11 trade. “I'm looking forward to playing those guys. Those are my brothers – they'll always be my brothers, no matter what jersey I have on, but [that's] off the field.
“… I'm looking forward to batting with them this Sunday, and I know that they're looking forward to battling with me. So it will be fun.”
Gordon played a key role during three years with the Quakes, forming the both celebrated and widely despised “Bash Brothers” with fellow SoCal native Steven Lenhart and scored 13 goals when San Jose won the Supporters' Shield two years ago.
He scored 18 goals in 64 games, most of them as a substitute, during three years with the Earthquakes, but his role diminished as San Jose diversified their attack this year. The Galaxy picked him up for allocation money, and he's made an immediate impact.
Gordon, who is in his second stint with LA, scored equalizers moments after entering the game as LA rallied to beat Colorado on Aug. 20 and tie Montreal on Wednesday. He tallied in the second minute of the Aug. 27 win over D.C. United.
He said he has no ill will toward the Earthquakes and coach Mark Watson.
“No personal feelings. It's a business,” Gordon said. “I have a good relationship with Mark and the whole coaching staff over there. … We ended on good terms, we had a good discussion, and, I mean, this is professional sports, it always ends, so why not end it in a good way.”
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He has a history of scoring against former clubs, netting seven in 10 games against the Galaxy while with Chivas USA, Toronto FC and the Quakes.
“It seems a little too good to be true for me to do it again, but we'll see,” he said. “… For me personally, I'm just trying to give Galaxy fans a little bit of happiness. If maybe I can help that out in any way that would be nice. You know, I gave San Jose fans a lot to cheer about against LA, so I'm looking to give it to the Galaxy fans this time around.”
Asked how soon after the trade he circled Sunday on his calendar, he replied, “It was immediately, to be honest.”
“One thing, no matter what side you're on, you always know when these games are,” Gordon said. “So I had the game in my mind regardless, but as soon as I got traded I was looking forward to it.”
