Earthquakes hope for improved defense against struggling Galaxy

Field Level Media|published: Tue 18th August, 22:07 2026

Jul 25, 2026; Stanford, CA, USA; LA Galaxy offense Joseph Paintsil (28) and San Jose Earthquakes defense Benji Kikanovic (28) battle for the ball during the second half at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-Imagn Images

One of the highest scoring teams in MLS is now having trouble keeping opponents off the scoreboard, and the San Jose Earthquakes intend to do something about it when they visit the Los Angeles Galaxy on Wednesday at Carson, Calif.

The Earthquakes were in a three-way tie for the top spot in the Western Conference as recently as July 25, following a 1-1 draw with the Galaxy at Stanford, Calif.

Since then, San Jose dropped consecutive matches and was outscored 7-3 in the process. In a 3-1 setback at home to St. Louis City SC on Saturday, Beau Leroux scored the lone goal for the Earthquakes.

San Jose (10-6-3, 33 points) enters Wednesday's match in fourth place in the conference standings. Preston Judd leads the club with 11 goals, but has none in three matches since the World Cup break.

"It's definitely been up and down," Leroux said of the team's recent mood. "I think we just need to get to a better level of understanding as a team, figure out what we're doing wrong, really break down the film and get to the bottom of it."

The Galaxy (5-8-7, 22) points are in 13th place in the conference and in search of reasons to feel optimistic. The club is winless since the end of the break (0-3-2).

The Galaxy have scored just two goals in their last five matches. Joseph Paintsil scored in the draw against the Earthquakes, while Troy Elgersma scored his first career MLS goal July 22 against St. Louis City.

Led by defender Jakob Glesnes, though, the Galaxy have allowed just two goals over their past three matches. Reasons to believe on offense include recent additions of forward Hirving "Chucky" Lozano from San Diego FC and midfielder Sergi Roberto, a former FC Barcelona standout.

Lozano came on as a second-half substitute in Saturday's 1-0 loss at Houston and played 25 minutes. Veteran midfielder Marco Reus did not play for undisclosed reasons not due to injury.

"We have a lot of quality in the room, but just saying that doesn't matter," Glesnes said. "We have to step it up on Wednesday because what we have been doing all this season so far is not good enough. And what we have been doing on the home field is definitely not good enough."

Los Angeles is 2-4-4 at home, while San Jose is 6-2-1 on the road.

--Field Level Media

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