LA Galaxy vs SJ Earthquakes preview

United States flag 2026 Major League Soccer, United States
Dignity Health Sports Park Today - 2:30 AM
Major League Soccer
LA GalaxyLAG
1 0
SJ EarthquakesSJE
Full Time Today 2:30 AM
Regular Season
Goal
|
Lucas Sanabria 45' Second yellow card
|

CONTEXT

LA Galaxy secured a 1-0 victory over SJ Earthquakes in a match that remained level at 0-0 through halftime. Despite SJ Earthquakes holding 63 percent possession and generating 1.96 expected goals against LA Galaxy's 1.44, the home side claimed the win. A red card to LA Galaxy further complicated proceedings in the second half. The stronger team on paper could not convert its statistical edges into a result. LA Galaxy's performance featured a notable deviation from pre-match projections. The outcome highlighted how individual events can override broader metrics in determining the final scoreline.

TL;DR

  • Structural deviation: LA Galaxy exhibited a significant 100 percent structural deviation from expected patterns.
  • Efficiency shift: The efficiency shift remained in line with second half developments.
  • xG alignment: The result was not consistent with the xG alignment between teams.
  • Market alignment: The outcome proved aligned with market projections.
  • xG expectations: SJ Earthquakes posted higher xG at 1.96 versus LA Galaxy's 1.44.
  • Event impact: Key second half events shaped the final 1-0 scoreline.
  • Red card distortion: The home red card introduced clear distortion to match flow.
No standings statistics available.
No head-to-head records found.
0.5+ goals: 85%
1.5+ goals: 70%
2.5+ goals: 50%
3.5+ goals: 25%
Confidence: High (≥8 matches)

Quality vs Volume

Home: xG 1.8, Shots 12, xG/Shot 0.15
Away: xG 1.5, Shots 14, xG/Shot 0.11

Open Play vs Set Play

Open Play: 65%
Set Play: 35%

Expected Points

TeamxPts
Home1.8
Away1.2
ℹ️ Methodology: Expected Goals (xG) measures shot quality
R. Touchan
R. Touchan
Referee • 25 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 30.32
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 4
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0.36
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0.36
League Avg 0
C. Rockwell
C. Rockwell
1st Assistant • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
J. Greeson
J. Greeson
2nd Assistant • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
S. Berna Rico
S. Berna Rico
4th Official • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
LA Galaxy G. Vanney
G. Vanney
VS
SJ Earthquakes B. Arena
B. Arena
1.1
Avg Points / Game (Last 100 Matches)
1.74
0.5 i
Last 6 Opponents
Houston Dynamo Rank: 65 L
Dallas Rank: 68 D
SJ Earthquakes Rank: 66 D
St. Louis City Rank: 65 L
Los Angeles FC Rank: 72 L
Houston Dynamo Rank: 66 D
Avg Points / Game (Last 6 Matches)
0.67 i
Last 6 Opponents
St. Louis City Rank: 64 L
Cincinnati Rank: 69 L
LA Galaxy Rank: 61 D
Orlando City Rank: 65 L
Portland Timbers Rank: 62 W
Dallas Rank: 66 L
3
Head to Head (Wins - Draws - Losses)
3 - 2 - 1
1

Team Power Ranking

i
What is Power Ranking?
Power ranking is SportMonks' model-based team strength indicator. Historical input capped to 2 seasons.
60
62.98
0 (Weakest) 100 (Strongest)
Metric
LA Galaxy
SJ Earthquakes
Power Score
60
62.98
League Position
13
4
Global Rank
551
461

Form Analysis Opponent-Weighted

Line chart of recent results (points/trend). Friendlies excluded by default. Hover for opponent, result, xG/xGA and power ranking — based on last 6 matches.

–
vs
LA Galaxy — Opponent-weighted form score
SJ Earthquakes — Opponent-weighted form score
Win (3 pts) Draw (1 pt) Loss (0 pts) LA Galaxy SJ Earthquakes

Heatmaps Ball coordinates

Attack and defence zones from ball position data. Filters: last 6 matches (overall/home/away), time period, competition.

–
vs

LA Galaxy

Left / Center / Right —
Opposition half density —
vs season average —

SJ Earthquakes

Left / Center / Right —
Opposition half density —
vs season average —
Possession Efficiency data not available for this match.

Set Pieces Efficiency Attack & Defence

Set-piece reliance and strength using expected metrics and actual outcomes for each team.

LA Galaxy
vs
SJ Earthquakes
Created Set-piece attacking threat
LA Galaxy SJ Earthquakes
Set-piece xG Share Share of total expected goals generated from set pieces. Higher = more set-piece reliant in attack.
7%
6%
Goals per Match Average set-piece goals scored per match.
0.00 0.00
vs Expected (xG) Goals scored minus set-piece xG. Positive = overperforming; Negative = underperforming expectations.
-0.09 vs -0.12
Conceded Set-piece defensive exposure
LA Galaxy SJ Earthquakes
Set-piece xGA Share Share of total expected goals conceded from set pieces. Higher = more exposed to set pieces defensively.
6%
7%
Conceded per Match Average set-piece goals conceded per match.
0.00 0.00
vs Expected (xGA) Goals conceded minus set-piece xGA. Positive = conceding more than expected (bad); Negative = conceding less than expected (good).
-0.12 vs -0.09
LA Galaxy
SJ Earthquakes
xG Share = set-piece xG ÷ total xG
vs Expected = goals − set-piece xG

Counter / Transition Attack & Defence

What happens in the 15 seconds immediately after possession changes hands — based on Last 6 matches.

–
LA Galaxy
vs
SJ Earthquakes
Attack After Winning Possession transition → offence
LA Galaxy SJ Earthquakes
Goals per Match Average goals scored within 15s of winning the ball per match. ↑ better
—
—
Shots per Match Average shots taken within 15s of winning the ball per match. ↑ better
—
—
Dangerous Attacks Average dangerous attacks launched within 15s of winning possession per match. ↑ better
—
—
Transition Efficiency Index Composite score (0–1) of how efficiently this team attacks within 15s of winning the ball. Higher = more dangerous on transition. Higher = stronger on the counter
LA Galaxy 0.00
SJ Earthquakes 0.00
Defence After Losing Possession loss → defensive exposure
LA Galaxy SJ Earthquakes
Goals Conceded Average goals conceded within 15s of losing the ball per match. ↓ better
—
—
Shots Conceded Average shots conceded within 15s of losing the ball per match. ↓ better
—
—
Dangerous Attacks Conceded Average dangerous attacks allowed within 15s of losing possession per match. ↓ better
—
—
Vulnerability Index Composite score (0–1) of how exposed this team is within 15s of losing the ball. Lower = better at preventing transition attacks. Lower = better transition defence
LA Galaxy 0.00
SJ Earthquakes 0.00
LA Galaxy
SJ Earthquakes
Window = 15s post-possession change
Index = 0–1 composite score

PRESSURE INDEX

Momentum phases from smoothed minute-by-minute pressure.

  • SJE had peak pressure around 71'.
  • SJE started the game with stronger pressure.
LAG Pressure SJE Pressure
⚡
Pressure Index: SJE reached the top pressure at 71' (87.78).

Team Head to Head Last 6 Seasons

Summary of 6 matches between these sides — filtered by competition and venue context.

LA Galaxy LAG Home
6 matches
SJ Earthquakes SJE Away
Match Record
3
Wins
1
2
Draws
2
1
Losses
3
Goals
12
Goals Scored
7
7
Goals Conceded
12
+5
Goal Difference
-5
Expected Goals
1.01
xG
3.92
3.92
xGA
1.01

Data last updated: 2026-08-20T00:04:17+00:00

STARTING XI

Match Formation 4-3-3
Match Formation 4-2-3-1
Pitch

General Information

Date & Time
Aug 20, 2026, 02:30 AM
Competition
2026 Major League Soccer, United States · Regular Season
Stadium
Dignity Health Sports Park
Capacity
27000
Pitch Surface
Grass
Weather
☀️ 12°C, Fair
Referees
Ramy Touchan
Corey Rockwell
Jeffrey Greeson
Servando Berna Rico

Statistics

Possession
LAG
40%
SJE
60%

Top Statistics

1 Goals 0
2 Big Chances Created 7
3 Shots 11
24 Dangerous attacks 70
37 Possession 63
2 Corners 5
17 Free kicks 12
4 Yellow Cards 3
1 Red Cards 0

Match Overview

59 Ball Safe 55
15 Goal Kicks 6
10 Goal Attempts 14
3 Substitutions 5
10 Throwins 14
7 Successful Headers 7
1 Assists 0
1 Injuries 0
22 Dribble Attempts 13
13 Successful Dribbles 6
59 Successful Dribbles Percentage 46

Attacking

62 Attacks 121
1 Big Chances Missed 7

Possession

45 Long Passes 40
324 Passes 544
261 Successful Passes 478
81 Successful Passes Percentage 88
10 Key Passes 19
23 Successful Long Passes 26
51 Successful Long Passes Percentage 65

Defensive

4 Saves 6
14 Tackles 12
15 Interceptions 8
51 Duels Won 37

Build-up

7 Total Crosses 31
2 Accurate Crosses 12

Discipline

2 Offsides 1
12 Fouls 17

Lineup

Referee : Ramy Touchan

Starting XI ▼

12
JT Marcinkowski
JT Marcinkowski Goalkeeper
7.02
3
Julián Aude
Julián Aude Defender
6.75
4
Maya Yoshida
Maya Yoshida Defender
6.77
5
Jakob Glesnes
Jakob Glesnes Defender
6.81
26
Harbor Miller
Harbor Miller Defender
6.71
7
Kyogo Furuhashi
Kyogo Furuhashi Midfielder
6.56
14
John Nelson
John Nelson
Defender90'
6.42
8
Lucas Sanabria
Lucas Sanabria Midfielder
6.8
15
Justin Haak
Justin Haak Midfielder
6.74
11
Hirving Lozano
Hirving Lozano Attacker
6.6
21
Robert Taylor
Robert Taylor
Midfielder68'
6.72
18
Marco Reus
Marco Reus Attacker
7.27
28
Joseph Paintsil
Joseph Paintsil Attacker
6.93
76
Troy Elgersma
Troy Elgersma
Midfielder83'
7.01
Referee : Ramy Touchan

Starting XI ▼

1
Angus Gunn
Angus Gunn Goalkeeper
6.6
2
Jamar Ricketts
Jamar Ricketts Defender
6.71
4
Dave Romney
Dave Romney Defender
6.63
17
Jack Jasinski
Jack Jasinski Defender
6.54
25
Max Floriani
Max Floriani Defender
6.88
3
Paul Marie
Paul Marie Midfielder
6.72
87
Vítor Costa
Vítor Costa
Defender74'
6
Ian Harkes
Ian Harkes Midfielder
6.67
10
Niko Tsakiris
Niko Tsakiris Midfielder
7.5
11
Timo Werner
Timo Werner
Attacker46'
7.3
16
Jack Skahan
Jack Skahan Midfielder
6.53
7
Ousseni Bouda
Ousseni Bouda
Attacker46'
6.97
20
Nick Fernandez
Nick Fernandez Midfielder
6.67
34
Beau Leroux
Beau Leroux
Midfielder61'
7.1
9
Luka Jovanovic
Luka Jovanovic Attacker
6.67
19
Preston Judd
Preston Judd
Attacker61'
7.15

Events

2ND-HALF
Event
Justin Haak
Foul / 6th Yellowcard
90+2'
Event
John Nelson → Kyogo Furuhashi
8th Substitution
90'
84'
Event
Jack Jasinski
Foul / 5th Yellowcard
Event
Troy Elgersma → Joseph Paintsil
7th Substitution
83'
Event
Joseph Paintsil
Left foot shot / 1st Goal
79'
74'
Event
Vítor Costa → Paul Marie
6th Substitution
Event
Robert Taylor → Hirving Lozano
5th Substitution
68'
61'
Event
Preston Judd → Luka Jovanovic
3rd Substitution
61'
Event
Beau Leroux → Nick Fernandez
4th Substitution
57'
Event
Dave Romney
Foul / 4th Yellowcard
46'
Event
Ousseni Bouda → Jack Skahan
1st Substitution
46'
Event
Timo Werner → Niko Tsakiris
2nd Substitution
1ST-HALF
Event
Lucas Sanabria
Foul / 1st Yellow/red Card
45'
Event
Lucas Sanabria
3rd Yellowcard
37'
29'
Event
Nick Fernandez
Foul / 2nd Yellowcard
Event
Harbor Miller
Foul / 1st Yellowcard
24'

Match Commentary

90
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Justin Haak receives a yellow card.
90
Update Update
John Nelson replaces Kyogo Furuhashi.
89
Attempt Attempt
Jack Jasinski takes a shot with his head, but it's saved.
89
Attempt Attempt
Justin Haak takes a right-footed shot, but it is saved.
88
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
84
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow card issued.
83
Substitution Substitution
Troy Elgersma is substituted off for Joseph Paintsil.
82
Attempt Attempt
Beau Leroux takes a left-footed shot, but it's blocked.
81
Attempt Attempt
Jamar Ricketts takes a shot with his head, but it is blocked.
79
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Shot! Joseph Paintsil scores with a left-footed shot.
79
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Joseph Paintsil scores with a left-footed shot.
77
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! The score is now 1-0.
77
Attempt Attempt
Robert Taylor takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
76
Attempt Attempt
Ian Harkes takes a right-footed shot but misses.
75
Attempt Attempt
Preston Judd takes a right-footed shot, but it is saved.
74
Update Update
Vitor Costa de Brito is on, and Paul Marie is off.
71
Attempt Attempt
Preston Judd takes a right-footed shot but misses.
69
Attempt Attempt
Joseph Paintsil takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
68
Substitution Substitution
Robert Taylor is substituted off for Hirving Rodrigo Lozano Bahena.
68
Substitution Substitution
Robert Taylor is substituted off for Hirving Rodrigo Lozano Bahena.
67
Attempt Attempt
Shot - Preston Judd Head Shot Missed
67
Attempt Attempt
Jamar Ricketts takes a right-footed shot but misses.
64
Attempt Attempt
Beau Leroux takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
63
Attempt Attempt
Maya Yoshida attempts a header but misses the shot.
61
Update Update
Preston Judd replaces Luka Jovanovic.
61
Update Update
Beau Leroux comes on for Nick Fernandez.
58
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
57
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
54
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow card issued.
54
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
53
Attempt Attempt
Jack Jasinski takes a shot with his head, but it misses the target.
47
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
47
Attempt Attempt
Paul Marie takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
46
Update Update
Ousseni Bouda comes on for Jack Skahan.
46
Update Update
Timo Werner is on, and Niko Tsakiris is off.
45
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow card issued.
45
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow card issued.
45
Red Card Red Card Important
Red card issued.
43
Attempt Attempt
Joseph Paintsil takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
40
Attempt Attempt
Kyogo Furuhashi takes a right-footed shot but misses.
38
Update Update
Offside.
37
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow card issued.
34
Attempt Attempt
Hirving Rodrigo Lozano Bahena takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
33
Attempt Attempt
Ian Harkes takes a right-footed shot but misses.
30
Attempt Attempt
Joseph Paintsil takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
30
Update Update
Offside.
29
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow card issued.
28
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow card issued.
24
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow card issued.
21
Attempt Attempt
Justin Haak takes a right-footed shot, but it misses the target.
20
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
13
Attempt Attempt
Shot - Max Floriani Head Shot Missed
12
Attempt Attempt
Jack Jasinski takes a right-footed shot, but it is saved.
12
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
9
Attempt Attempt
Luka Jovanovic takes a right-footed shot, but it is saved.
5
Attempt Attempt
Jack Jasinski takes a right-footed shot but misses.
5
Attempt Attempt
Paul Marie takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
4
Attempt Attempt
Paul Marie takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
2
Update Update
Offside.
1
Update Update
Kick-off! The referee is Ramy Touchan.

CONCLUSION

LA Galaxy claimed the narrow 1-0 win despite trailing in possession and expected goals. The red card to the home side added complexity yet did not prevent the result. SJ Earthquakes controlled much of the game but failed to find the decisive breakthrough. This outcome underscores how late adjustments and singular moments can decide tightly contested fixtures. Both teams showed resilience in a match defined by defensive organization. The final margin reflected the impact of critical incidents over raw statistical dominance. LA Galaxy will view this as a hard-earned three points while SJ Earthquakes reflect on missed opportunities.