STANFORD – The San Jose Earthquakes have built a reputation for dramatic comebacks against the LA Galaxy at Stanford Stadium, but the latest California Clasico ended with a missed opportunity instead.
Designated Player Timo Werner had a chance to complete another late rally, but his penalty kick in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time was saved as the Earthquakes settled for a 1-1 draw Saturday night.
Despite letting two points slip away, San Jose (10-4-3) remained tied atop the Western Conference with Vancouver (10-3-3) and LAFC (10-5-3).
Joseph Painstil scored a counter-attack goal in the 13th minute for LA (5-7-6) to put the Galaxy in front in the 105th meeting overall between the teams.
San Jose Earthquakes’ Reid Roberts (18) celebrates after scoring a goal against LA Galaxy in the second half at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, Calif., on Saturday, July 25, 2026. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
San Jose had four come-from-behind wins in the previous 12 games against LA at Stanford.
Coming off a 4-0 loss to Orlando City on Wednesday to restart their MLS season after a two-month World Cup break, the Quakes dominated possession and outshot the Galaxy 19-9.
It seemed like they would get all three points after Stanford product Ousseni Bouda was taken down in the box by former Quakes keeper JT Marcinkowski in the final seconds. Werner, their designated player, stepped to the spot but Marcinkowski guessed correctly and made the save.
Bouda was at striker because Preston Judd, who leads all American-born players in the MLS with 11 goals, was sitting out due to yellow card accumulation. Luka Jovanovic is still awaiting his work permit after being signed out of the Australian A-league earlier this month.
Angus Gunn, who started for Scotland in the World Cup, made one save in his second game for the Quakes, but it was critical — a diving save in the 83rd minute that prevented another counterattack goal from Paintsil. Marcinkowski, the former De La Salle High star, made five saves for the Galaxy.
The Quakes will play their other annual Stadium Series game against LAFC on Sept. 19 at Levi’s Stadium.
Warren Hoburg, American engineer and NASA astronaut, fires the siren before a game between the San Jose Earthquakes and LA Galaxy at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, Calif., on Saturday, July 25, 2026. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
San Jose Earthquakes’ Ousseni Bouda (7) falls with the ball against LA Galaxy’s goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski (12) in the second half at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, Calif., on Saturday, July 25, 2026. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
San Jose Earthquakes’ Jamar Ricketts (2) falls towards the ball against LA Galaxy’s Harbor Miller (26) in the first half at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, Calif., on Saturday, July 25, 2026. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
San Jose Earthquakes’ Jack Skahan (16) attempts a goal against LA Galaxy’s goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski (12), LA Galaxy’s Miki Yamane (2), and LA Galaxy’s Maya Yoshida (4) in the first half at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, Calif., on Saturday, July 25, 2026. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
San Jose Earthquakes’ Angus Gunn (1) jumps for the ball as it hits the side of the goal during a game against the LA Galaxy in the second half at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, Calif., on Saturday, July 25, 2026. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
San Jose Earthquakes’ Beau Leroux (34) kicks the ball against LA Galaxy’s Edwin Cerrillo (6) in the first half at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, Calif., on Saturday, July 25, 2026. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
San Jose Earthquakes’ Darius Johnson (79) runs with the ball against the LA Galaxy in the second half at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, Calif., on Saturday, July 25, 2026. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
San Jose Earthquakes’ Paul Marie (3) celebrates while LA Galaxy’s Harbor Miller (26) covers his face after the San Jose Earthquakes are given a penalty kick in the second half at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, Calif., on Saturday, July 25, 2026. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
San Jose Earthquakes’ Ian Harkes (6) takes a selfie with fans after the San Jose Earthquakes tied against LA Galaxy at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, Calif., on Saturday, July 25, 2026. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
San Jose Earthquakes’ Ian Harkes (6) signs autographs for fans during a fireworks show after the San Jose Earthquakes tied against LA Galaxy at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, Calif., on Saturday, July 25, 2026. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)