LA Galaxy vs. San Jose Earthquakes | 2020 MLS Match Preview

2020 MLS Regular Season – Week 8
LA Galaxy vs. San Jose Earthquakes
Dignity Heath Sports Complex – Carson
August 29 – 10:30 PM ET

STREAMING: MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US, on DAZN in Canada

LOCAL TV: Spectrum SportsNet, NBC Sports California

One of the league's most storied and heated rivalries is renewed Saturday night when the LA Galaxy host the San Jose Earthquakes in the latest edition of the Cali Clasico at Dignity Health Sports Complex.

While the Galaxy have the all-time edge, the teams enter the 71st regular season meeting with the Earthquakes unbeaten in the last three games, scoring three goals in each match. That includes a 3-1 victory in Carson in the last contest, scoring three unanswered second-half goals. 

The Galaxy are looking to secure a second straight derby win after defeating LAFC, 2-0, at Banc of California Stadium, while the Quakes are set to play their first game since the MLS is Back Tournament

LA Galaxy

The LA Galaxy were set to take on the Seattle Sounders Wednesday. But the players decided to sit out the match, following the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks, who didn't report to the court for their scheduled playoff game against the Orlando Magic that afternoon, as players continue to support the Black Lives Matter movement and protests against the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

"When we play, we put our heart and soul into our game and I know our fans watch us with our heart and soul also and I just don't think it would have been genuine for us to play tonight with other things on our mind and not putting our heart and soul into this," midfielder Sacha Kljestan said. "After seeing another unarmed Black man gunned down by police and the aftermath of that and what's going on in Wisconsin right now, that was on the forefront of our minds. Enough is enough."

• Updated team roster
• Injury Report:
  • QUESTIONABLE: Danilo Acosta (D) - ACL injury
  • QUESTIONABLE: Javier Hernandez (F) - right calf injury
• Suspended: None
• Suspended after next caution:None
• International duty: None

San Jose Earthquakes

The San Jose Earthquakes were set to host the Portland Timbers Wednesday night, but it was another match postponed.   

“We realize the traction of how we can make a difference,” Chris Wondolowski said. “That was how we felt we could make the biggest impact. We still want to make an impact in any way we can. We don‘t want lip service anymore.”

• Updated team roster
• Injury Report:
  • QUESTIONABLE: Jack Skahan (M)- thigh injury
• Suspended: None
• Suspended after next caution: None
• International duty: None

Series Matchup at Galaxy

• Galaxy: 20 wins, 61 goals
• Earthquakes: 7 wins, 42 goals
• 6 draws

Officials

• Referee: Victor Rivas
• Assistant Referees: Frank Anderson, Tiffin Turpin
• 4th Official: Alex Chilowicz
• VAR: Ricardo Salazar