T-180 minutes to kickoff: This is going to be a real doozy on hand. Hide the women and children, if they are still awake. It's the Los Angeles Galaxy vs. the San Jose Earthquakes, the California Clasico.

It's a renewal of the Northern California vs. Southern California rivalry, and today's play-by-play, brought to you by the View from Victoria Street and Bleacher Report, is set to fill you in on the action.

T-170: Before we go into the analysis, we just want to let you know of some other results going on. D.C. United defeated the Harrisburg City Islanders 2-0 to advance to the semifinals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

In SuperLiga play, the New England Revolution defeated Morelia 1-0 and the Chicago Fire edged Pumas UNAM 1-0.

T-160: In International Club Friendly action, Manchester United prevailed over the Philadelphia Independence 1-0 and Bolton Wanderers defeated Toronto FC in a penalty shootout 4-3.

Also in SuperLiga play, the Houston Dynamo defeated Puebla 1-0 and Chivas USA sounded off Pachuca 1-0. Also going on today is an international club friendly between the New York Red Bulls and Tottenham Hotspur.

T-150: Bruce Arena's Galaxy are currently 12-2-3 (39 points), eight points to the good of the Columbus Crew for the overall spot in the league and nine to the good of Real Salt Lake for the best record in the MLS Western Conference.

T-140: As for Frank Yallop's Earthquakes, they are 17 points behind the Galaxy, with a 6-4-4 record (22 points) are are fifth in the MLS Western Conference.

San Jose's next three matches include a July 31 home contest with the Seattle Sounders, an Aug. 7 road trip to Dick's Sporting Goods Park to face the Colorado Rapids and an Aug. 14 home tie with the Kansas City Wizards.

T-130: Los Angeles's next three matches include a JUly 27 home match with the Puerto Rico Islanders in the first leg of the 2010-11 CONCACAF Champions League Preliminary Round, an Aug. 1 home tie with the Chicago Fire, and an August 4 road trip to San Juan to face the Islanders.

T-120: Two hours to kickoff. Let's give you the line-ups.

T-90: Our match official today is the ever-lovable, equally as despised Jair Marrufo. George Gansner and Jeff Hosking are the linesmen today and Yader Reyes is our fourth official calling out the minutes of stoppage time and hearing the scrutiny from our two protagonistic managers here on Victoria Street.

T-80: Thank God there are only two matches going on today. I am writing this report from a secondhand laptop because the one I usually use is still stuck in the shop in Manhattan Beach.

It's been there since July 9. I have to be very unhappy with the delay. At least I have an apparatus to type a report on. In short, it's better than nothing.

T-75: I would like to give a shout-out to the U.S. Air Force. My favorite of the three major armed forces branches. They are in attendance today. I salute you all.

T-70: Oh yeah, there is a friendly going on down in Harrison. The New York Red Bulls are leading Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 in the 42nd minute.

T-65: New York is leading Tottenham 1-0 at the half, and yes, Thierry Henry is playing and he's even exchanged shirts. Looks like he is done for the match and will be subbed when the second half begins. He used to play for Arsenal, and he knows the importance of that rivalry.

Personally, I think the Manchester United-Arsenal rivalry is a bit stronger, but the regional intensity that you get from this north London derby has its own unique charm. Thierry knows that well.

T-60: One hour to kickoff here at Victoria Street, and I can tell you that there are no suspensions, no warnings, nada. Except...Mike Magee is out with a bilateral sports hernia surgery. Tough going for Mike.

As for the Earthquakes, midfielder Andre Luiz is out with a left knee internal derangement, forward Eduardo is out with a strained right hip flexor and defender Chris Leitch will sit this match out due to a left hip strain.

Thank goodness I am sitting in the upper section of the press box. I always bring a good-luck plushie to every home match, and my plushie dropped into the lower deck. I was able to pick it up.

More international club friendly action to run you through: at Fenway Park, Celtic defeated Sporting Lisbon 6-5 on penalties after drawing 1-1.

T-55: All right, there are some players on the make for the Galaxy. Chris Birchall, Edson Buddle and Juninho will be suspended for one match after two yellow cards.

As for the Earthquakes, Bobby Convey, Ramiro Corrales, and Chris Wondolowski will be suspended for one match after they amassed a couple more pieces of referees' cheese.

T-40: Whoops, looks like the plushie fell again. And again. I hate this laptop. Curse you, Fry's Electronics!

T-35: Players now warming up. And the Red Bulls still lead the Spurs 1-0.

T-30: Looks like we have a game on our hands. Robbie Keane in the 62nd minute makes it 1-1.

T-23: Horrid goalkeeping at its finest. Gareth Bale of Tottenham takes advantage in the 72nd. It's 2-1 Tottenham.

T-20: Ultras San Jose in attendance. Welcome to the South, Northerners.

T-15: Still 2-1 Tottenham, and I don't think the outcome will change at this rate.

T-4: Final from Harrison: Tottenham Hotspur 2, New York Red Bulls 1. I don't see the Red Bulls being a MLS Cup contender if they give up rallies like we just saw today. I just don't see it happening.

T-2: Will we see a flyover today? Congratulations to the new people entering the U.S. Air Force. A new batch of enlistees were sworn in before the match today. Don't go home in a box or get KIA in Afghanistan or Iraq or wherever...just warning you...And no PTSD outbursts please.

T-0: National anthem by boy band Honor Society. The answer to the question posed by T-2 is...no. Bleh.

FIRST HALF START: 7:45 P.M. PT

1' - And we are off and running in the first leg of this California Clasico. Wonder which Quake will be stealing the chickens today?

The Big Cat from Montego Bay, Mr. Donovan Ricketts, is in need of a shutout badly. He begins with a goal kick. Now here's Todd Dunivant, who passes to Michael Stephens for a touch.

2' - Here come the San Jose Earthquakes. This Cornell Glen, and the Earthquakes take the lead.

GOAL! San Jose Earthquakes 11 Bobby Convey
The Quakes throw the first gauntlet. He benefits off the botched save by Ricketts, and it's 1-0. Los Angeles will have to equalize in due time.

3' - Only three minutes in, and it's 1-0 San Jose.

4' - Execution will be key. Tune everything out, and connect on this corner...which they didn't.

5' - Back comes San Jose. And that was also the first goal of the season for Convey.

6' - Sean Franklin will need to do better. The Galaxy are not doing themselves any favors with the deplorable ball movement in the front.

7' - This is Brandon McDonald. His throw-in comes for naught.

8' - Excellent defense from Ramiro Corrales.

9' - San Jose is going to pack it tight this half as the Galaxy look for the equalizer. Good passing, but that shot was an easy save for Jon Busch.

10' - Stephens gets beat off the ball. Throw-in LA. Set piece for the G's. Can Landon draw his men forward for this one? He does, but it's not a good free kick.

11' - So we are 11 minutes in, and it's 1-0 San Jose.

12' - Here is Omar Gonzalez, and that throw-in goes to the Quakes.

13' - Jason Hernandez with the clearance for San Jose. This is excellent defending from the players in black and blue.

14' - Offsides, San Jose Earthquakes. Yallop will be wise to stretch the field.

15' - This will be a corner. High and no one in the vicinity. Goal kick Busch.

16' - That wasn't going to work for Bobby Convey. In All-Star solidarity, glad to see this guy finally get his dues.

17' - If this were Iron Chef, the challenger is beating the Iron Chef so far.

18' - Again, a shot from the left side, and Ricketts anticipates. Not this time, Cornell.

19' - I would like to see the Quakes spice things up with some slide tackles, but a goalie stop is fine too. Well done, Jon Busch.

20' - Oh my goodness, what was Edson Buddle doing? You gotta be selfish sometimes with the ball. Terrible touch.

21' - So we are 21 minutes in, and it's 1-0 San Jose. Well, it's still 1-0, after Juninho butchered his first shot of the night. Goal kick...Jon Busch.

22' - Corner for the Galaxy. Can Donovan end his woes on set pieces here?

23' - No dice. For those of you who don't know basic slang...that's "negative." The futility continues. It's still 1-0. And it is STILL 1-0.

How many more bullets will these lucky Quakes dodge? It's as if they are living a charmed life. Compare to a semi-charmed kind of life proposed by local Bay Area band Third Eye Blind.

24' - I have been whinging like a woman scorned on the poor finishing from the Galaxy. Why do I have the feeling that this is going to be the talk of the match?

25' - Here's Hernandez again. The pace from this Quakes side is all the rage right now.

26' - Goal kick, Ricketts.

27' - Quakes back on the attack. And that stanza sours, goal kick Ricketts. Another missed shot, this time from Stephens. This is becoming a broken record right now.

28' - So we are 28 minutes into the contest, and it's still 1-0 San Jose.

29' - Here is Ike Opara, resetting the Quakes for their next stanza. Ricketts sweeps that one up.

30' - A half hour gone, and the visitors from the north are cruising 1-0 in the first leg of this California Clasico.

31' - Throw-in, San Jose. Glen is offsides. We've yet to see Chris Wondolowski do his thing. Stay tuned.

32' - Bobby Convey is playing with ice water in his veins, and showing his MLS All-Star pedigree tonight. As for the four G's...we've yet to see that take place. Will it?

33' - Dunivant will have to slow things down for now.

34' - And that is a bad collision. Alan Gordon, ouch. You know, this fellow Beacher has been having injury problem, and he took that one hard to the schnozz. This is just gonna add to the fires. Great stuff.

35' - He'll have to be careful next time; otherwise, he is fine.

36' - With Gordon back on the pitch, it's back to action. Los Angeles is looking for the equalizer this half. Offsides, G's. Goal kick Busch.

37' - And here come the G's. Excellent deflection from San Jose.

38' - Glen in shaken up after jostling with Omar Gonzalez. This will be a tough loss. The howls rain down, calling out a possible simulation attempt.

39' - Well there has to be some first-half stoppage time; there's no doubt about it. The boo birds' audacity comes to a head as Glen rises to his feet.

40' - 40 in, and it's 1-0 San Jose.

41' - Buddlevan Connection was off. Edson seems to be losing his touch a little.

42' - This is some spirited defending from the Quakes. Bend, but don't break.

43' - That was a poor touch from Todd Dunivant. Angel City Brigade sways.

44' - Love the percussion in the background. Good stop by the defense of San Jose.

45' - Throw-in for Brandon McDonald. Frank Yallop has to be pleased with this result. Not so much for Bruce Arena.

45' + 1' - Three minutes of stoppage time, says Yader Reyes.

45' + 2' - If I am Bruce Arena, I gotta change my tactics heading into the break.

45' + 3' - And that header into the side netting sums up the half for the Galaxy. Total futility in a handbasket. It's halftime.

Halftime Stats

Shots
San Jose Earthquakes 4
Los Angeles Galaxy 7

Shots on Goal
San Jose Earthquakes 4
Los Angeles Galaxy 1

Saves
San Jose Earthquakes 1
Los Angeles Galaxy 3

Fouls
San Jose Earthquakes 2
Los Angeles Galaxy 2

Corner Kicks
San Jose Earthquakes 0
Los Angeles Galaxy 3

Offsides
San Jose Earthquakes 2
Los Angeles Galaxy 0

SECOND HALF START: 8:50 P.M. PT

46' - The second half is up and running. The Galaxy did not do themselves any favors with their lack of finish. In fact, they can't even buy a finish in a disappointing first half.

Now, San Jose Earthquakes did their end of my prediction. Let's see if the home side can respond and do something about their poor form in this half.

For the record, I am not a fan of the movie "Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore"...so long as it has a low rating on the Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer.

No penalty called on that foul. The home supporters have every right to be disgusted by that.

47' - I really do think that Ricketts' stock has taken a bit of a dive these past few matches. He's now starting to give up goals left and right, and I'm starting to seriously wonder if he does deserve his All-Star plaudits.

Busch takes that one. I guess Marrufo doesn't want to be a homer in this case. Suit yourself, Jair.

48' - What a save from Jon Busch. Corner, Los Angeles Galaxy.

49' - How is that not in? Bad deflection off the crossbar. Boy, the Galaxy have been very unlucky tonight, and they wasted the best chance to equalize so far this half.

50' - This is just unbelievable from Buddle. Every one of the big guns has been off tonight. Convey was the last line of defense. He is looking like the man of the match so far.

51' - Buddle had a player that he could pass to on that stanza, and he didn't see him.

52' - Alan Gordon, the second coming of the Keystone Kops?

Substitution San Jose Earthquakes
IN 10 Arturo Alvarez
OUT 17 Joey Gjertsen

54' - And things are getting testy down there.

Yellow card 2 Bobby Burling
San Jose Earthquakes

55' - Terrible shot from Juninho. That was easy save for Busch.

56' - Trying to sneak one through, and it's not going to work.

57' - Back come San Jose. The Ultras who made the visit can't believe their luck.

58' - Ricketts resets the distribution for the next stanza.

60' - GOAL! Los Angeles Galaxy 14 Edson Buddle Assists 2 Todd Dunivant, 10 Landon Donovan
Finally! About time Edson did something right. It's now a game. The power of perseverance.

61' - Time for this Galaxy side to take the reins from this point forward. We now have a match.

Substitution Los Angeles Galaxy
IN 17 Tristan Bowen
OUT 8 Dema Kovalenko

63' - Offsides, Glen. This is tenacious football right here at the HDC.

64' - Back comes San Jose. They have been giving up too much space today, the Galaxy have. Easy pickings for Jon Busch. And Donovan Ricketts will let that go for a goal kick.

65' - Number 12 on the season for Buddle. Buddle's not getting any help, but here comes an LA corner. Here is where the G's need to pick up the pace.

66' - Too low, and too wide for Omar Gonzalez. Goal kick, Busch.

67' - We are 67 minutes into this Cali Clasico first leg and it is a Street battle. Victoria Street, that is. 1-1.

68' - Substitution San Jose Earthquakes
IN 9 Scott Sealy
OUT 8 Chris Wondolowski

Wondo was a non-factor tonight. There's a plus for the Galaxy defense. Corner for the G's.

69' - Cleared. Another set piece.

70' - Busch is a beast right now in the net. This guy's been doing work for the Quakes.

71' - Yellow card 10 Landon Donovan
Los Angeles Galaxy

Oh yeah. Jair's going to be booed off the pitch when this is over. Back to the match; now when was the last time the Quakes got a corner? Hmmmm.

72' - GOAL! San Jose Earthquakes 14 Brandon McDonald
So much for a momentum shift. Another butchered save from Ricketts. What is going on with him? This is depressing.

73' - It's a malediction's delight. The Galaxy are forced to come from behind AGAIN. Corner misses the mark. San Jose has made the Galaxy pay for not converting their corners, and McDonald's goal was well-deserved.

74' - So much for my prediction. And another chance has been wasted by the Galaxy.

76' - 76 minutes in...2-1 San Jose. This team is on Kryptonite right now.

Substitution Los Angeles Galaxy
IN 6 Eddie Lewis
OUT 2 Todd Dunivant

78' - Glen is offsides yet again.

79' - Good pass, but poor finish. 17,712 in attendance tonight.

80' - Bowen's shot would have been good on the gridiron for three. Not so much here.

Substitution Los Angeles Galaxy
IN 9 Jovan Kirovski
OUT 21 Alan Gordon

81' - This is excellent dispossession from the Earthquakes. They will be wise to hold on to this lead to the final whistle. I think they may be able to make a successful run for the playoffs if they hold on.

83' - Crowd rises to their feet with this corner. And this has been the story of the night for Los Angeles. This team is paralleling New York's effort against Tottenham: poor finishing, and bad goalkeeping.

84' - Just a few more minutes to go, and the Quakes will take this first leg.

85' - I bet you the folks out in San Juan are looking at this match right now. It may be early morning down there, but I would think that they would be saying to themselves, "Hey, we may a chance here and have our season saved."

86' - That's some good marking from the Earthquakes midfielders.

87' - Bad shot from Tristan Bowen.

89' - And that was a bad tackle...here comes the yellow.

Yellow card 28 Sean Franklin
Los Angeles Galaxy

Convey got jammed. Well-deserved yellow.

90' - GOAL! Los Angeles Galaxy 10 Landon Donovan
He did it again, he did again. Bad save by Jon Busch, easy tap for the No. 10.

90' + 1' - Substitution San Jose Earthquakes
IN 19 Ryan Johnson
OUT 13 Cornell Glen

90' + 3' - Corner, and maybe one last chance for the Galaxy to steal three points? No dice.

Yellow card 19 Juninho
Los Angeles Galaxy

The cards are starting to pile up now. So here come the Earthquakes with one last chance.

90' + 4' - That's a wrap.

What a match, huh? Stay tuned for my take on this match on Bleacher Report and the View from Victoria Street.

Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

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