San Jose Earthquakes v LA Galaxy: Vanney lauds ´tireless worker´ Pec

Greg Vanney hailed “tireless worker” Gabriel Pec after the Brazilian continued his excellent form with a goal against Real Salt Lake.

The Galaxy beat RSL 1-0 last time out to join them and their city rivals Los Angeles FC on 37 points at the summit of the Western Conference.

Pec netted his sixth MLS goal of the season in that victory, while the winger has also provided six assists.

And ahead of the Galaxy facing the San Jose Earthquakes, Vanney was full of praise for Pec.

“The guy is a tireless worker. He’s a horse,” he said, via The Galactic Tribune.

“It’s like I think he’s played 50 games in each of the last three seasons. So coming here and playing the games that we have and the busy schedule moments, for him, it’s nothing.

“We know the quality he has. His ability on the right side to get in on his left foot, and he’s had a couple finishes in the last few games on that. When he’s on the left, he gets to the end line and he creates problems setting up goals which he did earlier in the week.

“He’s finding his ways in this league and in this team, and we are finding ways to continue to get him on the ball in good positions.”

Vanney also lauded the Galaxy’s defence after they kept a second successive clean sheet.

“That’s two in a row. That’s not something we have done in probably a long time,” he added.

“It’s a big thing for our group, as well. If we defend well, we’re going to be really, really difficult to beat.”

Top of the West showdown ends in Blue, White & Gold

The #RSLvLA Match Recap presented by @wingstop. pic.twitter.com/iUVp9CAwmH

— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) June 27, 2024

PLAYERS TO WATCH

San Jose Earthquakes – Jeremy Ebobisse

Ebobisse has scored 10 regular-season goals against the Galaxy, four more than against any other team in his career. Only four players in MLS history have netted more goals against the Galaxy in regular-season play.

LA Galaxy – Dejan Joveljic

Pec might be a huge danger, but the Galaxy’s main threat in front of goal is Joveljic, who has scored 11 league goals this term.

MATCH PREDICTION: LA GALAXY WIN

The Galaxy have won three straight matches for the first time since a four-match winning streak in August-September 2020. That run ended with a scoreless draw at San Jose.

The Earthquakes suffered their 14th loss in 19 matches this regular season with a 6-2 defeat to LAFC on Saturday.

The only team in the post-shoot-out era to lose 15 times in their first 20 matches of a season was the Tampa Bay Mutiny in 2001 (16).

The Galaxy have won three straight matches against the Earthquakes in all competitions for the first time since August-September 2002. Neither team has recorded four straight outright wins (excluding breakaway shoot-outs) in the 100-match history of the series in all competitions.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

San Jose Earthquakes – 29%

LA Galaxy – 46.5%

Draw – 24.5%