The LA Galaxy must show who they really are following two poor results when they face the San Jose Earthquakes in Saturday’s California Clasico, says right-back Harbor Miller.
Greg Vanney’s team sit 10th in the Western Conference going into this weekend’s derby, having lost both of their matches since returning from the World Cup break.
The Galaxy lost 3-0 to cross-city rivals Los Angeles FC last weekend, before going down 3-1 at home to St. Louis City on Wednesday.
And Miller, who grew up around the Galaxy-Earthquakes rivalry as a California native, knows it is time to stand up and be counted.
“I think the first soccer game I ever went to was Galaxy versus San Jose at home, so I think that’s in the back of my mind,” Miller said.
“San Jose have a lot of young guys and they have a lot of talent, and also a lot of grit. So, I think that game will come down to whether we can match their grit.
“We all know that our team has quality, but we need to match every other aspect of the game.
“After these last two performances, I think there is no other option than to come out and show who the Galaxy are.”
The Earthquakes are also coming off the back of a dire result, having lost 4-0 at home to Orlando City on Wednesday, in their first game since the World Cup break.
Next Match: THE 105TH CALIFORNIA CLASICO
@LAGalaxy Stanford Stadium #BeatLA https://t.co/MyI15C0W2u pic.twitter.com/ZI5MCvkPvs
— San Jose Earthquakes (@SJEarthquakes) July 23, 2026
It was the ‘Quakes’ largest margin of defeat at home since losing 6-1 to the Portland Timbers in September 2020, and captain Ronaldo Vieira believes a quick turnaround to their next match is a positive.
“I think it’s a good thing that there’s a game in three days. The good thing about football is you can put it right in the next game,” Vieira said.
“So, we have another chance in the next game to put it right. It was just an off day.
“It motivates me, and I think it motivates the other guys also. After a night like that, we have to go out there and grind for each other.
“We need to have 11 guys who are ready to fight for the result, and that’s what we’re going to do.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
San Jose Earthquakes – Beau Leroux
Leroux recorded two shots on target and two chances created in Wednesday’s defeat to Orlando.
The only other San Jose players to record multiple shots on target and multiple chances created in a single MLS match this season are Timo Werner (twice) and Niko Tsakiris (once).
Matchday XVI pic.twitter.com/RXdRqOFNEq
— San Jose Earthquakes (@SJEarthquakes) July 23, 2026
LA Galaxy – Troy Elgersma
Playing in only his second career MLS match, Elgersma scored the Galaxy’s lone goal in their 3–1 loss to St. Louis City last time out.
Elgersma’s only other professional goals came earlier this year for MLS Next Pro’s Ventura County, in two separate matches against Austin FC II.
MATCH PREDICTION – SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES WIN
The LA Galaxy are unbeaten in eight away matches against San Jose in all competitions (W6 D2), last losing at the Earthquakes in October 2020.
Prior to this run, the Galaxy had not gone more than two straight away matches unbeaten against the Earthquakes in the post-shootout era (since 2000).
However, the Galaxy have conceded three goals in both of their matches since the end of the World Cup break, so they may find things difficult on the road.
They had allowed three or more goals in just two of their previous 19 league matches dating back to late September of last year.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
San Jose Earthquakes – 51.4%
LA Galaxy – 23.9%
Draw – 24.7%
