SAN JOSE, Calif.
– Golden State Warriors center Zaza Pachulia will take the Earthquakes’ ceremonial first goal tonight ahead of the Quakes’ U.S. Open Cup clash with the rival LA Galaxy at Avaya Stadium. Pachulia and Quakes’ Designated Player Valeri ‘Vako’ Qazaishvili, who was signed on June 22, both hail from the nation of Georgia.
Pachulia recently won his first NBA Championship with the Warriors and will be accompanied in San Jose by the Larry O'Brien Trophy. He re-signed with Golden State last week.
The Earthquakes and Galaxy met just nine days ago at Stanford Stadium, with the Quakes scoring the game-winning goal in the 93rd minute to prevail 2-1 over their longtime rivals in front of more than 50,000 fans. Tonight’s match will see the winner advance to the U.S. Open Cup semifinal, while the other is eliminated from competition.
