Nick Lima scored twice, while Andres Rios and Tommy Thompson also had goals, as the San Jose Earthquakes were able to get back on track with a 4-0 road victory over the Los Angeles Galaxy in Jonathan Klinsmann‘s goalkeeping debut for LA on Wednesday.
The Earthquakes have won four of their last five games after their three-game winning streak ended in a 3-0 loss to the Portland Timbers on Sunday. San Jose moved back above the playoff line with the victory.
The futility continued for the Galaxy with their sixth consecutive loss, as their winless streak was extended to seven games. Los Angeles has not won a game since Sept. 6 when it got the best of cross-town rival Los Angeles FC.
– MLS on ESPN+: Stream LIVE games and replays (U.S. only)
– Chicharito fined following San Jose brawl
– Lapchick: MLS can continue to push diversity
After giving up six goals in a defeat to the Timbers on Oct. 7, the Galaxy made a move from goalkeeper David Bingham to Klinsmann. The son of former Germany star and United States Men’s National Team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann stayed busy making seven saves in his MLS debut.
Klinsmann was acquired by the Galaxy from the FC St. Gallen in the Swiss Super League on Aug. 20.
The Earthquakes got past Klinsmann for the first time just before halftime when Lima scored from near the penalty spot on a touch pass from Rios.
Rios delivered a goal of his own in the 52nd minute when he converted a pass from Carlos Fierro. It was his fifth of the season.
Thompson put the game away for the Earthquakes in the 76th minute. His first shot, while unmarked from just inside the penalty area was saved by Klinsmann, but Thompson was able to jump on the rebound and score on a sharp angle. It was his first of the year.
Lima scored his second of the game, and second of the season, in the third minute of second-half stoppage time.
San Jose goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski made three saves in his second shutout of the season.
The Earthquakes earned their second victory over the Galaxy in 11 days after they were on top of a 2-1 decision at home on Oct. 3. The teams played to a 0-0 tie on Sept. 13, with the Galaxy earning a 3-2 victory at home over San Jose on Aug. 29.