The San Jose Earthquakes and LAFC played to a 1-1 draw in a Western Conference match at BMO Stadium on Saturday July 8, 2023. (San Jose Earthquakes)

by Marko Ukalovic

Sometimes a draw is a win.

The San Jose Earthquakes played with only 10 men for most of the second half but were able to grind out a 1-1 draw with their SoCal rival LAFC on Saturday evening at BMO Stadium.

LAFC are winless in nine of its last 12 matches. San Jose are winless in their last five matches (0-2-3).

‘Quakes head coach Luchi Gonzalez went a different formation for the first time this season as he went with a 3-5-2 in a move to provide a more attacking style versus LAFC.

“We had some challenges with Jackson (Yueill) being called up (to the US Men’s National team) because of an injury in the Gold Cup (squad),” said Gonzalez regarding the reason for the change of formation. “Based on the circumstances and the challenge, missing some of these six to eight profiles in the midfield, we had to get creative. We had to think about playing obviously a really good LAFC team. in LA and be organized defensively while trying to get attack the ball.”

San Jose (7-7-8-29 points) drew first blood in the 30th minute. Jack Skahan intercepted a pass from LAFC and sent a long ball up to Cristian Espinoza. The Quakes All-Star dribbled down the right wing before cutting inside to the middle and firing a shot past LAFC goalkeeper John McCarthy for his team leading 10th goal of the season.

LAFC (9-6-8-33 points) evened the score when Bouanga drew a penalty on Rodgriguez who stepped on his foot while Dénis Bouanga dribbled down the end line in the 35th minute. Bouanga converted the penalty kick two minutes later with a blast past ‘Quakes goalkeeper Daniel for his team-leading 12th goal of the season.

San Jose lost its starting goalkeeper in the 56th minute when Daniel was given a red card, and an automatic ejection, when he came out to challenge a LAFC breakaway attempt when the ball hit his hand while he was outside the box.

LAFC weren’t able to take advantage of being up a man on the pitch. San Jose held down the fort in the final 34 minutes of the match with the help of back up goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski as they did not a concede a late goal and escaped out of LA with one point.

“We close the game out with a lot of effort, focus and togetherness. It’s an important point,” Gonzalez said.

Both San Jose keepers combined for five saves on six shots. McCarthy made two saves on three shots on target.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished with seven corner kicks. LAFC also had seven during the match.

For the first time in the 15 meetings between the two clubs, the match ended in a draw.

San Jose is now 2-17-9 in their last 28 matches on the road.

Midfielder Judson made his 100th MLS appearance when he substituted in for Miguel Trauco in the 67th minute.

LAFC’s Carlos Vela has scored six goals in nine matches versus San Jose.

Jeremy Ebobissee has scored the most goals by a visiting player against the two Southern California teams. 10 goals in 12 matches, including four in six versus LAFC.

UP NEXT: San Jose hosts the Seattle Sounders on Wednesday 7/12 at 7:30pm at Pay Pal Stadium.