CARSON — The goal wasn’t pretty, but in the history of the California Clasico between the Galaxy and San Jose, many a goal has been scored that didn’t meet Goal of the Week honors.
At the 60th minute mark, off of a corner kick, Galaxy defender Martin Cáceres got his head to the ball, it traveled toward the goal and San Jose goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski, got by him, as if taking a bad hop against a shortstop and into the goal.
Initially, the PA credited the goal to Riqui Puig, in the end, it officially belongs to Cáceres and more importantly, it led the Galaxy (2-6-3, nine points) to a 2-1 win Sunday over their Northern California rivals in front of 16,035 at Dignity Health Sports Park.
“I thought it was a great performance,” Galaxy coach Greg Vanney said. “I feel like we’re starting to find some rhythm and we will continue to try to build off of it. Getting results from a mentality standpoint, shows you’re on the right track. If we defended the way we did tonight, I think we can win a lot of games.”
At the start of Sunday, the Galaxy had slipped into last place in the entire league.
Despite that, the Galaxy turned in a strong first half, if only for their defensive effort alone. Offensively, the Galaxy led San Jose at the half in the possession battle and recorded six shots, although only one was on goal.
Their fortunes turned in the second half and at the start of the four minutes of additional time, Dejan Joveljic turned in a moment that best suits the California Clasico.
Joveljc, who had just entered the game as a sub, lost the ball, regained it immediately from San Jose defender Jonathan Mensah and beat Marcinkowski inside the far post for the second goal. The goal was his second of the season and the celebration earned him a yellow card. Joveljic took off his jersey top, ran toward the sideline and jumped on the bench with his teammates.
“I pressed that guy very good,” Joveljic said. “I scored a nice goal and I’m happy we won. The three points is very important. We want to make the playoffs and take it one step more than last year, maybe two steps more.
“Everyone needs the support that I have. If every player has support I have, I think sky’s the limit.”
San Jose was looking for a quick 2-0 stretch against its Southern California rivals. Last Saturday, the Earthquakes handed LAFC its first defeat, winning 2-1 in Santa Clara.
In the 68th minute, with the Galaxy holding onto the 1-0 lead, Jamiro Montero had a shot from inside the 6-yard box that Galaxy goalkeeper Jonathan Bond kept out to maintain the shutout.
The Galaxy is facing a quick turnaround, with a game set for Wednesday in Columbus, followed a trip to D.C.United Saturday and an even quicker reset after that with the U.S. Open Cup Round of 16 game against LAFC set for May 22.
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