When LAFC meets the LA Galaxy, it's El Trafico. When the San Jose Earthquakes tangle with the Galaxy, it's the California Clasico.
But what about when LAFC and San Jose complete the California triangular? It may not have a nickname yet, but Quakes forward Andy Rios insists it's just as important, especially Wednesday night's edition of the fixture at Banc of California Stadium (11 pm ET | UniMas, TUDN, Twitter, MLS LIVE on DAZN in Canada).
"We have to take it that way, as another Clasico," Ruiz said this week through an interpreter. "We know that they’re a tough rival, that we’ve lost (against them) on previous matches, so we need to make the most of it and look for the victory to stay close of the top positions in the standings."
Both sides are coming off disappointing defeats over the weekend. LAFC fell 3-1 at the Seattle Sounders after conceding against the run of play early and failing to recover. The Earthquakes twice gave back a one-goal lead in their California Clasico in a defeat at the Galaxy.
It was the kind of loss that turns the revised and compressed 2020 MLS schedule from a burden to a blessing, Rios said.
"It was a tough hit losing the Clasico. We weren’t expecting that," Rios said. "We went with all our hopes and desire. It was a complicated game for both sides. But now, thanks to God, this kind of football where we have a short turnaround and play again quickly, gives us revenge to play against LAFC on Wednesday. We’re focused on that as we aim to flip around our situation, seek a victory and climb up to the top positions in the standings."
