CARSON, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes picked up a road point against the rival LA Galaxy with a 1-1 draw at the StubHub Center on Sunday evening as part of Heineken Rivalry Week. Second-year midfielder Fatai Alashe headed home a late equalizer to stun the home side.
In the 13th minute, defender Kofi Sarkodie received a throw-in and curled a cross into the box. Alashe headed the ball goalward, but his shot attempt was saved comfortably.
One minute later, the Quakes created another opportunity. Forward Chris Wondolowski volleyed a Simon Dawkins pass on net, forcing a diving save by goalkeeper Brian Rowe.
Wondolowski continued to put himself in dangerous areas throughout the first half, having his 38th-minute blast carom off the woodwork and his left-footed strike in stoppage time sail over the bar.
In the 72nd minute, Galaxy midfielder Giovani dos Santos had a strike from distance that smacked the crossbar and was cleared to safety.
The Galaxy would later take the lead in the 83rd minute on an own goal by Marvell Wynne. A dangerous ball was played in front of goal from the right flank and Wynne’s sliding clearance attempt trickled into the corner of the net.
The Earthquakes began to throw numbers forward in search of an equalizer, eventually being rewarded for their efforts in the 87th minute. Second-half substitute Chad Barrett whipped in a cross and Alashe headed the ball past Rowe and into the back of the net (watch).
San Jose returns home to take on FC Dallas at Avaya Stadium on Saturday, May 28, presented by PetersenDean. The match kicks off at 7:30 p.m. PT and will be broadcast live on CSN California, 1590 KLIV and 1370 KZSF.
Notes:
- The Quakes are now 5-3-4 this season (19 points), including an 0-3-3 record on the road.
- San Jose is now 20-29-13 against the LA Galaxy all-time, including a 5-19-6 record on the road.
- The Earthquakes featured the same starting XI that defeated the Houston Dynamo in their last MLS match on May 11. It marked the first time that San Jose had the same starting lineup in back-to-back games this season.
- San Jose became just the second team to earn a point this season at the StubHub Center, where the LA Galaxy now hold a 4-0-2 record.
- Goalkeeper David Bingham made his 50th career start on Sunday. He holds a 21-17-12 record with 15 shutouts in his 50 MLS starts.
- Midfielder Fatai Alashe tallied his second goal of the season and fourth of his MLS career.
- Forward Chad Barrett registered his first assist of the season and 31st of his MLS career.
