Timo Werner missed last minute penalty, California Classico ends with a draw
Palo Alto, California, 07/25/2026 - Alfred Chu
Saturday night soccer in Palo Alto. The 105th California Clasico attracted 43,026 fans to Stanford Stadium, as San Jose Earthquakes hosts LA Galaxy at Stanford.
LA Galaxy started the game strong. In the 2nd minute, Joseph Paintsil found himself space at the top of the box one-on-one with Angus Gunn, but he side-netted the shot, missing the opportunity to score. Another chance came shortly, in the 13th minute Galaxy had a counter-attack from an Earthquakes corner. Joseph Paintsil struck inside the box assisted by Marco Reus, marking his 4th goal of the season, giving Galaxy a 1-0 lead in the California Clasico.
Marco Rues (left) celebrating with Joseph Paintsil’s (right) goal
In the 63rd minute, Earthquakes equalized with a Timo Werner free kick on the left wing. Werner crossed the ball into the box deflecs on a Galaxy defender, hitting the crossbar, creating chaos in front of the goal. Reid Roberts managed to score a tap-in on the loose ball, leveling the game at 1-1.
Reid Roberts (Right) celebrating equalizing goal with Beau Leroux (Left)
In the 68th and 83rd minutes, Galaxy had two golden opportunities to score, but Joseph Paintsil missed both chances, with one hitting the post and the other saved by Gunn.
It seemed like the match was going to end with a draw. Galaxy goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski brought Ousseni Bouda down inside the box, Earthquakes were awarded a penalty in the 93rd minute. JT Marcinkowski redeemed himself and made a crucial save diving to the left to save Timo Werner’s penalty, securing a point for Galaxy in California Clasico.
San Jose Earthquakes defender Paul Marie celebrating for the penalty kick while LA Galaxy defender Harbor Miller disappointing covering his face
JT Marcinkowski, the former Earthquakes player was happy to be back in San Jose, seeing family and friends in the stands. JT Marcinkowski made 4 saves and an important penalty save to hold on to a point from a rivalry game tonight, “I was just trying to make up for a little bit of a mistake I made. I think our team deserves at least a point tonight, if not more. I was just trying to do my best to preserve that. I think the guys put in a hell of a shift. I think it was just a really collective effort throughout the 90, 95 minutes, so I was just doing my best to make sure we get something out of the game.”
San Jose Earthquakes defender Paul Marie celebrating for the penalty kick while LA Galaxy defender Harbor Miller disappointing covering his face
LA Galaxy goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski (Left) brought down San Jose Earthquakes attacker Ousseni Bouda (Right) down inside the box, San Jose Earthquakes was rewarded with a penalty
Despite controlling the majority of the game, creating 19 shots and 3.2 expected goals, Earthquakes couldn’t find the second goal and only settled for a point in the rivalry game. Earthquakes head coach Bruce Arena gives credit to both teams after the rivalry game, saying this is the best rivalry in MLS, and he is happy with the team’s performance today, “We didn’t play poorly in the first half, we could have executed better technically, a little bit better in the final third of the field, and that was the case throughout the game. But I thought our effort was good. We could have been cleaner in the final third of the field, but for the most part our guys played a pretty solid 90 minutes.”
San Jose Earthquakes to celebrate USA 250 with the largest summer fireworks show post-match