San Jose Earthquakes edges the LA Galaxy at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson on Fri Aug 20, 2021 (@SJEarthquakes photo)

by Marko Ukalovic

CARSON, Calif–Don’t look now, but there is talk of playoffs in the South Bay.

The San Jose Earthquakes received an own goal late in the match to defeat the Los Angeles Galaxy 2-1 on Friday night in the third installment of the California Classico on Friday evening at Dignity Health Sports Park.

San Jose is on a season long 10 match unbeaten streak (3-0-7) and with 26 points jumped into the seventh place and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Los Angeles have lost two matches in a row and currently sit in third place in the conference with 35 points.

Los Angeles (11-8-2) conceded the game winning goal in the 71st minute when Chofis received a ball near the right end line. Chofis made a nice move around Sega Couliably as he dribbled in towards the net. His shot deflected off the leg of fullback Niko Hämäläinen into the back of the net for an own goal.

“That is the identity I try to transmit to this group and other teams I have coached,” said Quakes head coach Matias Almeyda. “There is a big commitment for each other, and there is a sense of belonging that they earn day-to-day when they put on the jersey.”

San Jose (6-7-8) controlled the pace of play throughout the match, especially in the first half when they had quality scoring chances that were either stoned away by Galaxy goalie Jonathan Bond or the crossbar.

Forward Jeremy Ebobisse had his best game as an Earthquake in just his fourth appearance. He had back to back point blank chances inside the box in the first minute of stoppage time in the first half. Both times Bond came up big, committing highway robbery on Ebobisse to keep the first 45 minutes scoreless.

The Earthquakes came out possessed in the second half as two minutes in off a corner kick, Ebobisse had a header hit off the crossbar and the subsequent rebound by Tanner Beason was stopped by Bond.

Ebobisse was not to be denied in this match. In the 52minute, Chofis sent a ball down the right wing where Luciano Abecasis settled it and made a perfect cross over to Ebobisse as the talented striker headed the ball past Bond into the right corner of the net for his first goal in a Quakes uniform.

“It’s easy to get demoralized in those moments,” said Ebobisee about his earlier chances in the match. “It’s also part of the growth in the development of a striker is being relentless and understanding that if you’re missing chances, if the goalie is making good saves, there’s another chance that’s coming your way. I was happy I was able to meet the quality of the cross that came in with a quality finish as well.”

In eight appearances against the Galaxy, Ebobisse has scored seven goals.

The Galaxy scored the equalizer in the 65th minute off a set piece play. Victor Vazquez’s corner kick knuckleballed just inside the left post as Quakes goalie JT Marcinkowski’s diving attempt was not enough to keep the ball out of the net. It was Vasquez’s first goal of the season.

Almeyda tactically went defensive in the final 15 minutes of play when he inserted fullback Paul Marie in the 81st minute for Chofis. A moved that paid off as the Galaxy, despite many corner kicks late, weren’t able to earn a point in the match.

“The mentality of the team to go find that game winner, that symbolizes what this team is capable of. To go on the road in the Cali Classico against an LA Galaxy team that is very strong, near the top of the table (in the Western Conference). To show the resilience, not put our heads down, not allow them to capitalize, equalizing the game shows what this team can be if we’re into it for 90 minutes,” Ebobisee said.

Marcinkowski finished with three saves on four shots to earn his sixth victory of the season. Bond, who arguably was the man of the match, made five saves on six shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose had six corner kicks. Los Angeles had 12.

The Quakes first unbeaten stretch of 10+ matches in a single season since July-Oct. 2005 (11-0-3). The 10-match unbeaten streak is the third longest in Quakes history (2005-14; 2001-12).

The Earthquakes extended their unbeaten streak on the road to six matches (2-0-4). It marks the club’s longest unbeaten streak away from home since July-Oct. 2005 (6-0-0)

San Jose is now 27-24-16 all-time against the LA Galaxy, including an 9-22-6 record away from home.

The Quakes have now allowed one or fewer goals in nine consecutive matches, conceding a total of seven in that span.

Chofis recorded his second assist on the season on Ebobisse’s goal.

UP NEXT: San Jose returns home to host the Colorado Rapids on Saturday 9/4 at 7:00pm at Pay Pal Park.