It’s only a game, right? Except when it involves the LA Galaxy vs. the San Jose Earthquakes. In the mind of Galaxy defender A.J. DeLaGarza, the California Clasico is a little more than just a game.
“When San Jose comes here, we know that our fans get up for it and how passionate they are for this game. We know how crazy the games can be, and we make sure to come prepared,” DeLaGarza said. “When you play a rival, it's usually a team you really hate and I really hate San Jose.”
That hatred seems to be working for the Galaxy against their Northern California rivals, whom they host Sunday at the StubHub Center in a nationally-televised matchup (7 pm ET, FOX Sports 1). Galaxy are undefeated against the ‘Quakes in Southern California since 2012, going 3-0-2 against San Jose at home in that period, with 13 goals scored, and only five conceded. Their last home loss to the ‘Quakes came in the first leg of the Western Conference semifinal in 2012 – in a series the Galaxy ultimately won.
