Preview: San Jose Earthquakes vs. Los Angeles Galaxy - prediction, team news, lineups

San Jose were beaten by Dallas last weekend, while LA Galaxy drew against Inter Miami.

Match preview

Despite being one of founding members of Major League Soccer and enjoying success at some point, San Jose Earthquakes have struggled for recent success, with their failure to progress beyond the first stage of the Western Conference playoffs last season a testament to that.

The Quakes struggled with a scoring plague in 2023, netting only 39 goals in the regular season (second-worst in the conference) and despite signing prolific Norwegian striker Amahl Pellegrino to address this issue, they fell short in their opening game, losing 2-1 to Dallas.

San Jose will be playing at home for the first time this season on Sunday, with manager Luchi Gonzalez hoping to secure their first points against a familiar foe.

However, the hosts have struggled in the last two meetings between these sides at PayPal Park, with these games ending in a 2-2 draw and a 3-2 win for the visitors.

Meanwhile, LA Galaxy themselves are keen to avoid a repeat of their dreadful start to the 2023 season, where they won just one of their opening 10 games and missed the playoffs for the fifth time in seven years.

It looked like this season was going to start differently when they nearly snatched victory against Inter Miami last weekend, but Lionel Messi's late goal salvaged a draw after Dejan Joveljic's lead for Galaxy.

This season could be pivotal for manager Greg Vanney, who has not replicated his 2017 MLS Cup success with Toronto since joining LA, losing at least 12 regular-season games in each of his three years at the helm.

However, Vanney's men will be confident of securing points at San Jose, having won their last trip there amidst their overall poor away form in the previous season.

San Jose Earthquakes Major League Soccer form:

D

D

D

D

L

L

Los Angeles Galaxy Major League Soccer form:

D

L

L

D

L

D

Team News

San Jose goalkeeper James Marcinkowski remains out of contention as he is currently out with a ligament issue that will likely keep him out till June, while Niko Tsakiris is also sidelined with a lower body injury.

This leaves former Internacional stopper Daniel between the sticks for the Quakes once again on Sunday.

New signing Pellegrino started from the bench against Dallas but could play from this start in this clash as San Jose seek attacking inspiration.

Meanwhile, Marco Degaldo is suspended for this fixture after he was sent off for a second bookable offence last time out.

The vacant position in midfield could see Gaston Brugaman come into the starting lineup for this one.

Left back Jalen Neal also remains sidelined as he is currently nursing an abdominal issue.

San Jose Earthquakes possible starting lineup:

Daniel; Akapo, Rodrigues, Beason, Marie; Espinoza, Gruezo, Yueill, Skahan; Pellegrino, Ebobisse

Los Angeles Galaxy possible starting lineup:

McCarthy; Yamane, Yoshida, Neal, Aude; Brugman, Brugman; Puig; Paintsil, Joveljic, Pec

We say: San Jose Earthquakes 2-3 Los Angeles Galaxy

LA Galaxy almost secured victory over Inter Miami last time out and this could serve as a springboard for their confidence this season. The visitors also have a good record in their recent visits to San Jose. We think there will be goals galore in the Cali Clasico but Galaxy should edge it in the end.

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