June 27, 2015: San Jose Earthquakes defender Clarence Goodson (21) celebrates scoring in the second half, with the fans surrounding him, during the game between the San Jose Earthquakes and the Los Angeles Galaxy at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, California, USA. The San Jose Earthquakes won 3-1.
The San Jose Earthquakes played a complete game against rivals LA Galaxy en route to a 3-1 win that gives the team the 4th best points per game mark in the Western Conference.
Coming into the match, LA had scored 10 goals in two matches, and Juninho’s opening goal in the first 17 minutes seemed to foreshadow another lopsided victory for the Galaxy.
11 minutes later, Chris Wondolowski put those fears to rest. Wondo found himself with the ball at midfield after LA gave the ball away and used great vision to find Matias Perez Garcia on the wing. MPG then burned defender Leonardo and put a perfect cross into the box, finding a streaking Wondolowski who put his volley into the top corner of the net with authority.
June 27, 2015: San Jose Earthquakes forward Chris Wondolowski (8) celebrates scoring as the fans cheer, during the game between the San Jose Earthquakes and the Los Angeles Galaxy at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, California, USA. The San Jose Earthquakes won 3-1.
In the second half San Jose would lose the possession battle but be the more dangerous side, stopping attack after attack from LA and then building beautifully up the field. The Quakes stretched the Galaxy defense and found open space time and time again, forcing 9 of their 11 corners in the second half.
Those corners eventually paid off for the Quakes when Clarence Goodson got his first goal in a San Jose kit by winning a header at the front post and directing it just under the crossbar to take a lead that the Quakes would not relinquish. Goodson hurdled the ad boards and jumped into the crowd to celebrate; a moment of pure elation for the veteran defender.
It was passing again that lead to San Jose’s third goal as they picked apart the Galaxy midfield. Jordan Stewart made a defensive stop and passed the ball off to Cordell Cato who left the ball off to Perez Garcia who made a perfect pass up the left sideline to Shea Salinas. Shea beat his defender and found Cato again at the top of the box where Cato made one move to set up a shot on his left boot that beat Jaime Penedo and put the game out of reach for the Galaxy.
June 27, 2015: San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Matias Perez Garcia (10) drives down the field during the game between the San Jose Earthquakes and the Los Angeles Galaxy at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, California, USA. The San Jose Earthquakes won 3-1.
Not long ago, San Jose was being raked over the coals for their poor passing and carelessness with the ball. Now their efficient passing is winning them games against some of the best teams the league has to offer. Matias Perez Garcia has been the driving force of the San Jose midfield and deserves much of the credit for the team’s improvement in the passing game, but from top to bottom the Quakes have made leaps and bounds in their passing and attacking build up.
