CARSON, Calif. – LA Galaxy center back Jelle Van Damme still was having a difficult time recovering from last weekend’s last-second, 1-0 loss to the Colorado Rapids, a result he called “a bummer.” But there’s nothing like Saturday’s derby against the arch-rival San Jose Earthquakes at StubHub Center to stir his competitive urges.
The Belgian international is new to this season’s first California Clasico (7:30 p.m., Time Warner Cable SportsNet, Time Warner Cable Deportes), having joined the five-time MLS Cup champions in late January, but he’d much rather take part in contests like these than others with little, if anything, at stake.