Welcome to Cali Clasico: Leagues Cup edition!
Two MLS originals meet in a classic American derby on Wednesday night: five-time MLS Cup champions LA Galaxy travel north to face bitter rivals San Jose Earthquakes in a 10:30 p.m. ET kickoff at PayPal Park.
Currently sitting atop the MLS Western Conference table, the Galaxy will be confident against bottom-of-the-table San Jose. However, coming off their most valuable win of the season (a penalty shootout against Guadalajara in their Leagues Cup opener), so will the Earthquakes.
Led by 2023 MLS All-Star Cristian Espinoza and Diego Maradona’s great-nephew Hernan Lopez creating chances for striker Jeremy Ebobisse — who played arguably his best game of the season against Chivas — interim head coach Ian Russell hopes to use the tournament as a path to success in an otherwise frustrating season for the Quakes.
“In this opportunity, we are going to try to do our best to advance from the group stage. It will be really difficult,” said Cristian Espinoza. “We are ready to battle and hope we can go through.”
Similarly, Galaxy is also led by a skilled attacking trio nicknamed the “Killa P’s” made up of 2024 MLS All-Stars Riqui Puig and Gabriel Pec alongside Ghanaian international Joseph Paintsil. Combined, the trident has 26 goals and 30 assists in the Galaxy’s 26 matches this season — many of which were direct connections between the three.
Being the most historic MLS derby, with more than 100 meetings, the Quakes have failed to claim victory since 2022. Besides, a Leagues Cup Cali Clasico carries intensified meaning.
“It’s a tournament and there’s a trophy at the end of it. That’s the exciting part,” said Galaxy midfielder Mark Delgado. “You just have to see that as the end goal; lifting that trophy. Even though it’s the same team we’ve already faced three times in the regular season, now there’s a trophy at the end of these next few games. Definitely, there’s something on the line.”
Bragging rights in the short term, a trophy in the long term, and potentially a Concacaf Champions Cup berth along the way provide more than enough motivation to elicit yet another thrilling Cali Clasico as these two historic clubs meet in Leagues Cup for the very first time.
