Los Angeles Galaxy forward Dejan Joveljic celebrates his goal over the San Jose Earthquakes in his team’s 2-1 win at Dignity Health Park on Sunday MAY 14, 2023. (Los Angeles Galaxy)

by Marko Ukalovic

The Los Angeles attacked and pressed their way to a 2-1 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes in the 97th installment of the California Classico on Sunday evening at Dignity Health Park.

San Jose had its seven-match point streak snapped. Los Angeles snapped its two-game losing streak with just its second win on the season.

A scoreless first half featured both teams that tried to establish a physical presence with a combined total of 14 fouls in the opening 45 minutes. Los Angeles controlled the possession by a 57%-43 margin. The home team had the majority of scoring chances while San Jose tried counter-attacking only to turnover the ball on the final third of the pitch.

San Jose’s (5-4-3) best chance came early in the sixth minute when Christian Espinoza centered a ball over to Jeremy Ebobisse inside the box, but Ebobisse’s header attempt was easily saved by Galaxy goalkeeper Jonathan Bond, who made his return from a shoulder injury that forced him to miss seven matches he suffered on March 18th.

Los Angeles (2-6-3) best came a minute later when Chicharito chipped the ball just wide right of the net past ‘Quakes goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski.

The Galaxy drew first blood off a set piece in the 60th minute on a controversial play. Memo Rodríguez’s corner kick was headed in by Martín Cáceres for his first goal of the season. San Jose contended that Cáceres’ hand touched the ball before he headed the ball in, but referee Joe Dickerson ruled it a good goal.

“I think our performance was not good. We can play better than that. Our quality in the attacking third. We had more turnovers than we’re used to. It comes down to connections and quality,” ‘Quakes head coach Luchi Gonzalez said.

Los Angeles iced the game in the first minute of stoppage time when Dejan Joveljic, who had just come into the game substituting in for Chicharito, stripped the ball away from Jonathan Mensah and dribbled in on Marcinkowski before depositing the ball into the back of the net for his second goal of the season.

San Jose spoiled Bond’s shutout bid in the final minute of stoppage time when Ousseni Bouda got behind the defense inside the box and buried a shot past Bond for his first goal of the season. It was too little too late for San Jose as time expired on the ensuing kickoff.

Bond finished the match with two saves on three shots to earn the victory. Marcinkowski made three saves on five shots on target in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished the match with two corner kicks. Los Angeles had four.

The Galaxy lead the overall series 39-25-16.

Until tonight’s match, the away side had won four of the previous matches and San Jose has won five of the past nine matches down in LA.

Ebobisse had his goal streak in Los Angeles snapped as he had scored in all five previous road games (seven goals). He has scored eight goals in 11 matches vs LA.

UP NEXT: San Jose concludes its two-game LA road trip when they take on LAFC on Saturday 5/20 at 7:30pm at BMO Stadium.