Quakes settle for draw in California Clasico

Galaxy get second-half equalizer from Jordan to escape with point

Pablo Campos (front) scored his first MLS goal for San Jose in the first half. (AP)

Pablo Campos had opened the scoring for the home side after just five minutes, but Jordan's bullet header from a Landon Donovan cross leveled matters with 14 minutes remaining, giving the visitors a share of the points.

The result marks the third time this season San Jose has failed to gain maximum points at home, and saw them remain in fifth place in the Western Conference standings, pending Sunday's games. L.A. didn't improve on their sixth-place position, but will no doubt take comfort from earning a valuable point on the road.

Both sides started the match missing key parts of their attack. San Jose was without Darren Huckerby, who was sidelined with a right thigh strain, meaning a start on the left side of midfield for the Quakes Bobby Convey.

The Galaxy was not only missing on-loan midfielder David Beckham, but forwards Edson Buddle and Alan Gordon were out due to injury and suspension respectively. With newly acquired defender Gregg Berhalter also suspended, L.A. manager Bruce Arena not only opted for a three-man backline but decided to deploy Donovan as an attacking midfielder in support of forwards Mike Magee and Jovan Kirovski.

The Quakes had promised to exploit their speed advantage up top prior to the game, and they made good on their vow after just five minutes. Chris Leitch's long ball out of the back found Campos in acres of space, and with plenty of time to set himself, he slotted the ball past L.A. goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts to give San Jose a 1-0 lead.

Suitably stung by conceding an early goal, the Galaxy created some good opportunities over the next few minutes. Donovan's eighth-minute cross picked out Kirovski at the far post, but the Galaxy forward hit his volley over the bar. Donovan then weaved his way through the San Jose defense four minutes later, but Cannon was off his line quickly and smothered the breakaway attempt of his former teammate.

The Quakes were soon back on the attack. Campos' clever through ball in the 18th minute put Arturo Alvarez alone on Ricketts, and while Alvarez initially evaded Ricketts' challenge, he dithered on the ball too long, allowing the Galaxy 'keeper to recover and deflect the ball out for a corner kick. Alvarez's ensuing delivery was headed on goal by Campos, but Ricketts delivered a sharp save to his left to keep the margin at one.

The Quakes continued to carve out opportunities. Johnson had a glorious chance to extend the lead in the 37th minute, but he could only head Eric Denton's cross straight at Ricketts.

Chances became scarcer in the second half, and with the Galaxy in need of a goal, Arena brought on Jordan for Magee in the 56th minute. While the switch had little initial impact, L.A. did have a half-chance six minutes later. Eddie Lewis' free kick fell to Sean Franklin in the box, but San Jose's Ramiro Corrales was on hand with a vital block, defusing the threat.

That signaled another round of changes with L.A.'s Chris Klein entering the match for A.J. DeLaGarza, while San Jose countered by bringing on Quincy Amarikwa for Campos.

The changes seemed to spark the Galaxy, as Cannon had to be alert in the 73rd minute to touch away Kirovski's cross and then punch away the rebound with Donovan advancing.

But that was a mere prelude to Jordan's equalizer in the 76th minute. Donovan's initial corner kick was cleared only as far as Dema Kovalenko, whose pass to Donovan was crossed back into the box, where Jordan's snap header beat Cannon to the far post.

San Jose responded by bringing on Cam Weaver and Davide Somma for Johnson and Simon Elliott, but it was the Galaxy that came closest to scoring. Jordan nearly scored a second from a goalmouth scramble, but his 88th-minute effort went wide.

Jeff Carlisle is a contributor to MLSnet.com.

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