By Wendy Pintor
5/14/2023
Following a 3-1 win over Seattle Sounders FC in the Round of 32 of the 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup at Dignity Health Sports Park on May 10, the LA Galaxy returned to regular league to host the San Jose Earthquakes at Dignity Health Sports Park, taking on the original MLS California Classico, NorCal versus SoCal.
Sunday’s match marks the 96th edition across all competitions of the Cali Clásico between the Galaxy and the Earthquakes, with LA leading the series 44-33-18. Against San Jose, the Galaxy hold a 35-28-16 record in league play, a 4-1-1 record in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and a 5-4-1 record in the MLS Cup Playoffs. In 38 all-time regular-season matches played at home against the Earthquakes, LA holds a 22-10-6 record. In the last meeting between the two teams, the LA Galaxy earned a 3-2 road victory over San Jose at Stanford Stadium on Sept. 24, 2022.
And so tonight California has new colors representing them, LA Galaxy after newest team LAFC lost 2-1 last week at the Levis Stadium brought back more hope for the team regardless of the poor performances the past weeks. Martin Cascaras with his first goal of his career, the matches first goal was a bit scrappy, so much so that there was confusion about who scored it or whether the last player who touched the ball was off-side and all though it was an important win it is still considerable questionable how well their midfield, tactics and team unity really mesh together for the following of the season.
Unlike, Caracas who is not used to celebrating goals, young striker Dejan Joveljić enters the game subbing Javier “Chicharito” Hernández in the 90th+ minute and scores 4 minutes after entering the game.
“I’m very happy because we won the game, finally. Two games in a row, three points,” said Dejan Joveljić, who came off the bench to bag what turned out to be the winning goal, putting the Galaxy up 2-0 in the 91st minute. “For us it’s very important to reach, to make it to the playoffs. That’s our goal for the season. And after that, everything is possible. Hopefully one step more than last year. Even better, two steps more.”
Joveljic has made clear he wants and needs to be a starter eventually. Yet he declared his readiness to play the supersub role in service of the team – “I know he doesn’t want to be that guy always and forever, but he has certainly carved out a niche for himself that is very special,” said head coach Greg Vanney – and his alert pressing of Jonathan Mensah almost immediately after entering the match earned him a breakaway and cool finish past JT Marcinkowski.
It lit up a euphoric celebration from the Serbian striker that was met and matched by the enthusiasm of teammates both on and off the field.
“I mean, everyone needs the support like I had. If every player has the support like I had, I think that sky’s the limit,” said Joveljic, somewhat cryptically.
Vanney was a bit more reserved, often a luxury for someone in his position. And now with this great win for the team, LA Galaxy has two league games against Columbus Crew and DC United before facing LAFC in the Open Cup May 23 at the BMO.
Goals by:
M. Cáceres 60′
D. Joveljić 90+1′
O. Bouda 90+4′
Cards:
LA Galaxy
San Jose Earthquakes
27′ Hernandez Balcazar (Y)
35′ Delgado (Y)
90’+1′ Joveljic (Y)
46′ Rodrigues (Y)
73′ Mensah (Y)
82′ Judson (Y)
89′ Bouda (Y)
Substitutions:
LA Galaxy
San Jose Earthquakes
64′ Edwards for Rodriguez
74′ Aguirre for Boyd
90′ Joveljic for Hernandez Balcazar