105th California Clasico Ends in an Exhilarating 1-1 Draw
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES forward (#11) Timo Werner strikes the ball from the penalty spot during a 90+4 penalty kick against the LA GALAXY in the California Clásico. ( Bryant Flores / Golden State Visuals )
STANFORD, CALIF. - Saturday’s 105th California Clásico ends with heroics from Reid Roberts and ex-Earthquakes Goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski in a captivating 1-1 Draw at Stanford Stadium
Following the San Jose Earthquakes' heartbreaking defeat at PayPal Park the week prior, attention shifted to Stanford Stadium for the 105th edition of the California Clásico. The Earthquakes welcomed longtime rivals LA Galaxy in front of a packed crowd, in a match that seemed destined to end in a dramatic San Jose victory before former Earthquakes goalkeeper James Thomas "JT" Marcinkowski denied them at the death.
LA Galaxy #8 Lucas Sanabria and #28 Joseph Paintsil celebrate after Paintsil’s opening goal
(Matthew Hahn / Golden State Visuals )
The match began with San Jose immediately taking control, creating their first dangerous chance just two minutes into the contest. Despite the early pressure, it was LA Galaxy who struck first. In the 13th minute, #26 Harbor Miller sparked a dangerous counterattack, finding #18 Marco Reus, who delivered a perfectly weighted pass to #28 Joseph Paintsil for the opening goal.
Following the early breakthrough, the match settled into a more even rhythm as the Earthquakes continued searching for an equalizer. They headed into halftime 0-1, but their persistence paid off just 17 minutes into the second half. After an indirect free kick created chaos inside the penalty area, center back #18 Reid Roberts reacted quickest, firing home the equalizer to bring the Clásico level at 1-1.
Both sides continued to push for a winner. La Galaxy nearly found one through a curling effort destined for the top corner, but newly signed Scottish goalkeeper Angus Gunn made a glamorous save, producing one of his biggest moments since joining the Earthquakes.
LA Galaxy goalkeeper (#12) JT Marcinkowski and San Jose Earthquakes forward (#28) Benjamin Kikanovic exchange words and make contact following the Earthquakes’ 90+4 penalty during the California Clásico. Kikanovic received a yellow card for the incident. ( Matthew Hahn / Golden State Visuals )
With the score still tied after 90 minutes, four minutes of stoppage time were added. Just two minutes into added time, #7 Ousseni Bouda was brought down inside the penalty area by JT Marcinkowski, and the referee immediately pointed to the spot. Former Chelsea forward Timo Werner stepped up with the chance to secure all three points and deliver San Jose its 11th win of the season. Werner fired his penalty toward the right side of the goal, but Marcinkowski guessed correctly, diving to his left to make a stunning save that preserved a 1-1 draw for LA Galaxy.
While no official Man of the Match was announced, Reid Roberts delivered an unofficial Man of the Match performance, scoring the equalizer and playing a key role in helping the Earthquakes earn a hard-fought point in the 105th California Clásico.
