9 November 2003 - The Earthquakes Shake Up The Playoffs

On 9 November 2003, the San Jose Earthquakes staged the biggest comeback in MLS playoff history to beat the Los Angeles Galaxy in the semifinals.

As the league's only California teams, San Jose and Los Angeles had developed a strong rivalry, nicknamed the California Clásico and capped two years earlier when the Earthquakes, making their first appearance in the championship match, beat the Galaxy 2-1, handing LA their loss in three MLS Cup appearances.

By 2003, the Galaxy were fortunate to make the playoffs at all, finishing fourth out of five teams in the Western Conference while San Jose were in first. But when the teams met at the Home Depot Center on 1 November for the first leg of the semifinal, LA won 2-0. And when they reconvened at Spartan Stadium in San Jose eight days later, LA again took a two-goal lead with strikes from Carlos Ruiz (7') and Peter Vagenas (13'), giving San Jose an aggregate hill to climb that was four goals high.

The comeback started in the first half with Jeff Agoos (21') and Landon Donovan (35') finding the back of the net. Jamil Walker scored early in the second half (50'), but LA looked likely to hold on to their 4-3 aggregate lead. Then, in the 90th minute, Chris Roner scored to send the match into extra time.

At the time, the MLS Cup used the golden goal rule, which meant that the first goal scored in extra time would win the match. And San Jose's Rodrigo Faria found it in the 96th minute (it was his only goal of the season). San Jose went on to beat Kansas City in the conference final, then defeated Chicago in the championship game.

In addition to being the biggest comeback in MLS playoff history, the 5-2 win in that second leg was the biggest victory in the California Clásico.

13 January 1988 - Statistically, It Proved To Be A Little Misleading

On 13 January 1988, the United States beat Guatemala with a goal from left back Jeff Agoos, making only his second national team appearance.

The teams met in Guatemala City, where the United States had lost all four of their previous matches. The most recent loss had come just three days earlier when the hosts won 1-0. That match marked the international debut for Agoos (pictured), a star in the making at the University of Virginia. His performance on that day was unremarkable, however, and he was substituted for fellow dubutant John Diffley.

US manager Lothar Osiander included both Agoos and Diffley in the starting line-up for the rematch on 13 January, with Agoos providing the day's only goal to give the US a narrow victory in the friendly. And it turned out to be a very rare occurrence. Agoos went on to earn a total of 134 caps for the US--enough to place him third on their all-time appearances list--but he scored only three more times for them.

5 June 2002 - Both Teams Were Generous To A Fault

On 5 June 2002, the United States opened their World Cup campaign with a shocking 3-2 win over Portugal at South Korea's Suwon World Cup Stadium. It was the Yanks' only win in the group stage, but was enough to see them through to the knockout rounds, while Portugal failed to advance.

Going into the tournament, Portugal were heavy favorites to win the group, which in addition to the United States also included South Korea and Poland. But the US shook their confidence early when midfielder John O'Brien (pictured) scored in the 4th minute from a corner kick. Portugal then shot themselves in the foot with a 30th-minute own goal from star center back Jorge Costa, who deflected a Landon Donovan shot off of his shoulder and into the net. Six minutes later, striker Brian McBride extended the lead to 3-0 with a header.

The Portuguese, however, fought back. Defender Beto scored a 39th-minute goal, then their constant pressure in the second half resulted in an own goal from US defender Jeff Agoos in the 71st minute. But they could not find the needed equalizer and finished with a 3-2 loss.

Portugal beat Poland 4-0, but lost to South Korea 0-1 to finish third. The US drew with eventual group winners South Korea, then lost to Poland to finish second and advance to the knockout rounds. They proceeded to enjoy their best run in a World Cup since 1930, advancing to the quarterfinals, where they lost 1-0 to Germany.

9 November 2003 - The Earthquakes Shake Up The Playoffs

On 9 November 2003, the San Jose Earthquakes staged the biggest comeback in MLS playoff history to beat the Los Angeles Galaxy in the semifinals.

As the league's only California teams, San Jose and Los Angeles had developed a strong rivalry, nicknamed the California Clásico and capped two years earlier when the Earthquakes, making their first appearance in the championship match, beat the Galaxy 2-1, handing LA their loss in three MLS Cup appearances.

By 2003, the Galaxy were fortunate to make the playoffs at all, finishing fourth out of five teams in the Western Conference while San Jose were in first. But when the teams met at the Home Depot Center on 1 November for the first leg of the semifinal, LA won 2-0. And when they reconvened at Spartan Stadium in San Jose eight days later, LA again took a two-goal lead with strikes from Carlos Ruiz (7') and Peter Vagenas (13'), giving San Jose an aggregate hill to climb that was four goals high.

The comeback started in the first half with Jeff Agoos (21') and Landon Donovan (35') finding the back of the net. Jamil Walker scored early in the second half (50'), but LA looked likely to hold on to their 4-3 aggregate lead. Then, in the 90th minute, Chris Roner scored to send the match into extra time.

At the time, the MLS Cup used the golden goal rule, which meant that the first goal scored in extra time would win the match. And San Jose's Rodrigo Faria (pictured) found it in the 96th minute (it was his only goal of the season). San Jose went on to beat Kansas City in the conference final, then defeated Chicago in the championship game.

In addition to being the biggest comeback in MLS playoff history, the 5-2 win in that second leg was the biggest victory in the California Clásico.

13 January 1988 - Statistically, It Proved To Be A Little Misleading

On 13 January 1988, the United States beat Guatemala with a goal from left back Jeff Agoos, making only his second national team appearance.

The teams met in Guatemala City, where the United States had lost all four of their previous matches. The most recent loss had come just three days earlier when the hosts won 1-0. That match marked the international debut for Agoos (pictured), a star in the making at the University of Virginia. His performance on that day was unremarkable, however, and he was substituted for fellow dubutant John Diffley.

US manager Lothar Osiander included both Agoos and Diffley in the starting line-up for the rematch on 13 January, with Agoos providing the day's only goal to give the US a narrow victory in the friendly. And it turned out to be a very rare occurrence. Agoos went on to earn a total of 134 caps for the US--enough to place him third on their all-time appearances list--but he scored only three more times for them.

5 June 2002 - Both Teams Were Generous To A Fault

On 5 June 2002, the United States opened their World Cup campaign with a shocking 3-2 win over Portugal at South Korea's Suwon World Cup Stadium. It was the Yanks' only win in the group stage, but was enough to see them through to the knockout rounds, while Portugal failed to advance.

Going into the tournament, Portugal were heavy favorites to win the group, which in addition to the United States also included South Korea and Poland. But the US shook their confidence early when midfielder John O'Brien (pictured) scored in the 4th minute from a corner kick. Portugal then shot themselves in the foot with a 30th-minute own goal from star center back Jorge Costa, who deflected a Landon Donovan shot off of his shoulder and into the net. Six minutes later, striker Brian McBride extended the lead to 3-0 with a header.

The Portuguese, however, fought back. Defender Beto scored a 39th-minute goal, then their constant pressure in the second half resulted in an own goal from US defender Jeff Agoos in the 71st minute. But they could not find the needed equalizer and finished with a 3-2 loss.

Portugal beat Poland 4-0, but lost to South Korea 0-1 to finish third. The US drew with eventual group winners South Korea, then lost to Poland to finish second and advance to the knockout rounds. They proceeded to enjoy their best run in a World Cup since 1930, advancing to the quarterfinals, where they lost 1-0 to Germany.