4 LA Galaxy Players That Need to Step Up Against the Earthquakes on Saturday | OneFootball

Saturday night features a match between the MLS Western Conference's best offense and their worst defense. Both teams play for a California city but only one of these two soccer clubs look to be playing soccer past mid-October. In fact, the LA Galaxy are the only California team on pace to miss the postseason.

Ahead of this weekend's next chapter in El California Clasico, here are four players that absolutely have to step up for the Los Angeles Galaxy against the San Jose Earthquakes.

1. Novak Micovic, Goalkeeper

The last time that San Jose faced the LA Galaxy, the Earthquakes beat the Galaxy 1-0. That really wasn't on the Serbian goalie.

He had a season-high five saves. Micovic's only blemish was Ousseni Bouda's goal midway through the second half.

With seven goals surrendered in the first three games of the season, the LA Galaxy made the switch at goal. John McCarthy took over for nearly three months. Since the 2-2 draw during Rivalry Week, Micovic has been back in the Starting XI.

San Jose's leading scorer, Cristian Arango, has had success against the LA Galaxy before. Even during his time playing for the other LA team (LAFC), he has been a thorn in the Galaxy's side.

Another bad showing and McCarthy could be back in the starting lineup on his birthday when the Los Angeles Galaxy host the first-place Vancouver Whitecaps.

2. Edwin Cerrillo, Midfielder

In 17 starts for the LA Galaxy, Cerrillo has yet to score. He has taken 10 shots on the year and none of them have found the back of the net.

The 24-year-old midfielder had some extra expectations on him to perform after the team traded away both Gaston Brugman and two-time MLS Cup champion Marky Delgado.

Cerrillo missed the contest against St. Louis City earlier this month due to a league-issued suspension. He accumulated too many fouls. Ironically, he was issued a yellow card in his return to the field against the Colorado Rapids.

The LA Galaxy need Cerrillo to be productive on offense and defense. At this point, head coach Greg Vanney may settle for at least one or the other, if he can't get both out of the former FC Dallas player.

3 & 4. Miki Yamane and the captain, Maya Yoshida

Yes, both veteran defenders heard the criticism of their age playing for the LA Galaxy last year. Last year they not only made the playoffs but they won a league record sixth MLS Cup trophy.

This season, they have more own goals between them than the Los Angeles Galaxy has wins as a team. The only victory that the 2024 MLS Cup winners have to their credit is a 2-0 shutout against Real Salt Lake.

The LA Galaxy have given up five goals in their last two games. Entering the weekend, San Jose has the MLS Western Conference's best offense. They led the West with 39 goals scored, more than double the Galaxy's total.

While multiple on offense need to step up for the defending champions (Joseph Paintsil, Gabriel Pec, and more), it starts with the defense. Not only have the LA Galaxy have given up the most goals in their conference (41), they have given up the most in the entire league entering Saturday.

Yoshida and Yamane need to set the example and raise the bar for Emiro Garces, John Nelson, Mathias Jorgenson and others.