Galaxy San Jose clash set for 105th California Clasico
The San Jose Earthquakes face the LA Galaxy on Saturday, July 25, 2026, in the 105th California Clasico at Stanford Stadium (10:30 p.m. ET, Apple TV). Bruce Arena's side remains tied for first in the Western Conference despite a midweek defeat, making this Galaxy San Jose derby a high-stakes Bay Area night.
It is the 13th Clasico meeting at Stanford and a fixture the Quakes call unlike any other in Major League Soccer. Northern California pageantry—skydivers, fireworks, and a packed college football bowl—usually draws more than double PayPal Park's capacity, according to MLSsoccer.com.
Key Takeaways
- The 105th California Clasico is Saturday at Stanford Stadium, kickoff 10:30 p.m. ET on Apple TV.
- San Jose is tied for first in the Western Conference for the first time since 2012's Stanford tradition began.
- Top domestic scorer Preston Judd (11 goals) and captain Ronaldo Vieira are suspended for yellow-card accumulation.
- The Galaxy sit 10th; Marco Reus and Joseph Paintsil lead the attack with Joao Klauss injured and Gabriel Pec transferred to Cruzeiro.
- San Jose is 5-3-2 against LA at Stanford, with many famous comebacks.
When does the Galaxy San Jose Clasico kick off?
Kickoff is Saturday evening in Palo Alto at Stanford Stadium, listed at 10:30 p.m. ET on Apple TV. The Quakes frame the night as Black and Blue versus Navy and Gold, complete with the Bay Area's largest summer fireworks show after the final whistle.
Official club coverage in the Earthquakes match preview stresses that records often vanish once this interstate derby begins.
Why does this California Clasico matter now?
San Jose is riding a renaissance under Arena, who has steered the club to its best start in club history. The Quakes entered the World Cup pause at 10-3-2 and remain tied with Vancouver Whitecaps FC atop the West even after a 4-0 midweek loss to Orlando City.
The Bay Area is still buzzing from hosting 2026 FIFA World Cup matches nearby. Winger Ousseni Bouda said the tournament energy makes this an ideal moment for a Cali Clasico, while Arena pointed to strong local support and long-term potential for the club and MLS.
PayPal Park has yet to host an Audi MLS Cup Playoffs match in its first decade; a Clasico win is framed as the next step toward changing that this autumn.
Who is out, and who can swing Galaxy San Jose?
Judd, whose 11 goals and two assists lead domestic MLS scorers, and defensive midfielder Vieira will miss through accumulated yellows. German forward Timo Werner has been orchestrating San Jose's attack in their surge.
For LA, Reus and Paintsil are the focal points with Klauss sidelined and Pec recently moved to Brazilian side Cruzeiro. The Galaxy are struggling in 10th, one spot off the playoff line.
History favors drama: San Jose's Stanford Clasico lore includes 2012's 4-3 win, Alan Gordon's 2013 double, Shea Salinas's 2017 stoppage-time winner, a 3-3 draw with Zlatan Ibrahimovic in 2018, and a 2-2 in 2023. For more quirky sports and culture reads, check Bizarre News & Florida Man on BlasterPost.