Greg Vanney has warned the LA Galaxy they cannot afford to play with anything less than 100% intensity against the San Jose Earthquakes in Saturday's California Clasico.

The Galaxy made a terrible start to their MLS Cup defence, failing to win any of their first 16 matches of 2025 before defeating Real Salt Lake on May 31.

That was the start of a run of seven points from three games, but they were brought crashing back down to earth with a 2-0 defeat to the Colorado Rapids in midweek.

The Galaxy are rock bottom of the Western Conference with eight points from 19 matches, already 17 points adrift of the playoff picture.

"For too much of that game we were operating at 60% or 70% of the intensity level that was needed," Vanney said as he reflected on the Colorado defeat.

"We got off to a decent start, the ball was moving well, but then when they started to up their pressure and raise the intensity, they didn't let us get comfortable.

"I thought our movement was a little too slow, our reactions in transition... everything. We weren't getting close enough to people, we were losing first balls, second balls."

The Galaxy have won 50 of 103 meetings with San Jose, drawing 19 and losing 34. If they are to maintain their strong derby record on Saturday, Vanney feels they need to show urgency.

He continued: "We were lacking a little bit of edge. We were one paced. I said to the group, 'this hasn't been how we have played in the last couple of games'.

"We have to show up and push through, whatever the conditions are or whatever the situation is, and make sure that our intensity level is right.

"Then the soccer part of it will start to come together. But if we're not moving at the right speeds or right intensity, it's going to be an uphill battle."

Bruce Arena's 'Quakes are fifth in the West after a 4-2 midweek win at FC Dallas, having only lost one of their last 11 matches.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

San Jose Earthquakes – Cristian Espinoza 

Espinoza delivered three assists in San Jose's 4-2 win over Dallas on Wednesday, becoming the first San Jose player with three assists in an MLS match since Bobby Convey in May 2010 against the New York Red Bulls.

LA Galaxy – Gabriel Pec

Pec led the Galaxy with five shots as they lost 2-0 to Colorado last time out. He has had 61 shots in the 2025 regular season, tied for the fifth most in MLS.

That tally is also 40 more than any other Galaxy player has attempted, with Joseph Paintsil managing 21.

MATCH PREDICTION – SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES

The Galaxy have not won any of their 13 road matches this season in all competitions (D3 L10), most recently with a 2-0 loss at Colorado on Wednesday. 

That is tied for the club's longest single-season road winless streak, alongside a 13-game drought to begin the 2003 season.

San Jose ended a five-game losing streak in all competitions in the Cali Clasico with a 1-0 road win over the Galaxy in May. 

Since the beginning of the 2021 season, the Galaxy have won six of seven road matches (all competitions) against the Earthquakes (D1), scoring multiple goals in all seven games.  

But it could be a different story this week. San Jose have scored 19 goals in their last five home MLS matches, netting at least three goals in each game. The Earthquakes had previously never scored three or more goals in more than three consecutive home matches.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

San Jose Earthquakes – 45.1%

LA Galaxy – 28%

Draw – 26.9%