🇺🇸 Chicharito bags brace as Galaxy beat San José in California Clásico | OneFootball

Only one game took place across Major League Soccer this weekend, with LA Galaxy beating San José Earthquakes 3-2 in the California Clásico on Saturday night.

Scorers: Espinoza 74′, Nathan 90’+4; Hernández 12′, 69′, Brugman 42′

LA Galaxy’s early dominance was rewarded in the 12th minute as, having not been called up by the Mexican national side, Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernández poked home from close range following good work by Julián Araujo down the right side.

Attempting to play out from the back, Earthquakes midfielder Jackson Yueill surrendered possession cheaply to Marco Delgado who quickly moved the ball onto Gastón Brugman to double the lead with a powerful strike from outside the box.

Kévin Cabral wasted a great chance to test JT Marcinkowski but, from close range, fired straight into the side netting before the San José shot-stopper was on hand to deny Samuel Grandsir.

Chicharito would make it three through a neat finish from close range after a swift interchange with second-half substitute Efraín Álvarez catching the Earthquake defence on their heels.

The hosts reduced the deficit moments later though as Cristian Espinoza converted from the spot having been taken down by Jonathan Bond in the penalty area after an exquisite through ball by youngster Niko Tsakiris.

Brazilian defender Nathan added a further consolidation goal but Greg Vanney’s side held on to create a three-point cushion between themselves and Real Salt Lake who sit just outside the playoff positions as San José remain bottom of the Western Conference.