4
Nov

Five things to watch: LA Galaxy vs. San Jose Earthquakes

By Kyle McCarthy

The California Clasico returns to the postseason stage for the first time since 2005 when San Jose visits Los Angeles tonight. Here are five points to watch ahead of the clash at the Home Depot Center:

1. Lingering hostilities: Galaxy defender Omar Gonzalez offered several critical comments about Steven Lenhart and the Earthquakes’ style of play after an ill-tempered 2-2 draw on Oct. 21. This match provides the perfect opportunity for the Earthquakes to issue their response on the field.

2. Ringing the changes: Bruce Arena promised a series of alterations to his starting XI after the 2-1 victory over Vancouver in the Knockout Round on Thursday night. He will hope to include A.J. DeLaGarza and Sean Franklin in the lineup after they missed out  against the Whitecaps because of injury. Arena could also turn to Marcelo Sarvas or Christian Wilhelmsson in midfield to allow Landon Donovan to slide up front to partner Robbie Keane.

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17
Oct

Groundbreaking in San Jose

By Kyle McCarthy

It isn’t every day that a delivery truck pulls up to your house and hands you a long, oddly-shaped box with a commemorative blue shovel in it. Today was one of those days.


As fun as it is to tear open an unexpected parcel to see what is inside, it pales in comparison to the joy forthcoming in San Jose on Sunday. In the hours leading up to a derby clash against LA Galaxy, the Earthquakes and more than 5,000 of their closest friends and supporters will break ground on their new soccer-specific stadium. They aim to set a new Guinness World Record for the largest contingent to ever participate in a groundbreaking ceremony when they do.

The occasion will mark the next step forward for a club already on the upswing. Frank Yallop and his players will likely secure the Supporters’ Shield in the next fortnight and enter the postseason as one of the favorites to lift MLS Cup. They will leave the homey Buck Shaw Stadium in 2014 for their own 18,000 seat ground around the corner and reap the benefits — on and off the field — from the transition in the coming years.

It all adds up to a movement far greater than a little blue shovel. But, as symbols go, it works just fine for a team trying to build a future where these special moments happen with increasing regularity.