OAKLAND, Calif. — Pablo Campos converted a penalty and assisted on Ryan Johnson’s sixth goal of the season to lead the San Jose Earthquakes past the Los Angeles Galaxy 2-1 on Saturday.
The Earthquakes (3-8-3) have seven points in their last four games after getting just five from their first 10.
Jovan Kirovski had his first goal of the season for the Galaxy (2-3-9), which lost for the second straight time following a 10-match unbeaten streak.
Campos scored in the sixth minute after carrying the ball on a strong drive into the Los Angeles penalty box and going to the ground after a sweeping leg tackle by defender Greg Berhalter, drawing an immediate whistle from referee Baldomero Toledo.
Campos sent a low, skimming kick to the right of diving goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts.
The Jamaican didn’t have much more of a chance on Johnson’s goal in the 54th minute. Right back Chris Leitch, the Earthquakes’ assists leader, sent a long cross into the box for Campos, who headed a pass across the goalmouth. Johnson caught up with it at the far post and knocked it in before Ricketts could close the gap.
The Galaxy scored in the 65th minute off a free kick near midfield. Mike Magee’s searching pass found Alan Gordon and he headed the ball perfectly to Kirovski, who had shaken free of back Brandon McDonald, and hammered it into the goal from point-blank range.
But the Galaxy, which scored nine goals after the 75th minute in its first 13 matches, was unable to find an equalizer.
