Midfielder Shea Salinas’ point blank first half header sank the LA Galaxy 1-0 on Friday night at the Avaya Stadium. The victory propelled the San Jose Earthquakes into the final Western Conference playoff spot in the process.

Salinas was in the right place at the right time to pick up the rebound after LA’s goalie Donovan Ricketts initial save. The speedy midfielder was unmarked and headed the ball into back of the net to make it 1-0 in the 18th minute.

The Galaxy’s defense fell asleep in the penalty box on that play. First Gyasi Zardes was beaten by 'Quakes striker Quincy Amarikwa on the initial header. Then Omar Gonzalez had his back towards a cutting Salinas. As a result, the U.S. international center back failed to keep tabs on the San Jose midfielder and the rest is history.

“We did an awful job on the goal,” an unhappy Galaxy manager Bruce Arena said after the loss. “Give them credit but we got caught sleeping with Zardes on the back post and Gonzalez in front of the goal and it ends up in the back of the net so that’s our responsibility. Give them credit for making a good play.”

The Galaxy’s response did not come crashing down on San Jose’s defense. Instead their offense seemed to build up and looked promising, but by the time it came to the final third nothing happened. LA’s lethal offense took 12 shots in the match but they only managed to get four of them on target.

However, at the start of the second half the Galaxy was hit by another blow. The Earthquakes did not score again, but instead LA’s center back Leonardo was shown a direct red card at the 47th minute.

Amarikwa was again apart of the play, this time he used his speed. The forward received a long ball and took off heading towards the box. Leonardo was attempting to catch him, and to slow him down he slightly grabbed Amarikwa from his shoulder.

The San Jose attacker fell down. The referee then blew the play dead and awarded the 'Quakes a free kick near the top of the box.

Now it appeared that Gonzalez had made it back in time so that Leonardo was not the last man standing. However, the ref did not see it that way and gave the Brazilian native a direct red.

The Galaxy played a man down for the rest of the match. They did produce more chances but nothing got passed San Jose’s goalie David Bingham four saves.

“We deserved to lose the game the way played,” Arena said afterwards. “We played a crappy first half. We played better with 10 players than we did with 11. And obviously, you play with 10 players for 43 minutes or so; you’re not putting yourself in a good position.” 

As a result, the 'Quakes win this year’s California Clasico with a 2-1 record. Additionally, they have jumped over the Seattle Sounders to claim the final playoff spot in the Western Conference with 38 points.

The 'Quakes can continue their drive to the playoffs when they take on the Philadelphia Union at home on September 5th.

As for the Galaxy, they will be not in MLS action again until September 12th when they face the Montreal Impact at the StubHub Center.