Tensions always run high in the California Clasico, and this year’s wild 3-3 draw was no different. Last season, Galaxy center-back Jelle van Damme was the archvillain, and, this time, returning goalkeeper David Bingham assumed the role.
Bingham, who played for the Quakes for seven years, was returning to Stanford for the first time since leaving San Jose over the offseason after a fall-out with the technical staff. The goalkeeper was heckled by San Jose fans throughout the ninety minutes and returned the shade in his post-match comments.
“I don’t know if [a draw] is fair, we had the better of them,” he said. “We had a couple more chances that we should have finished. With where they’re at in the table, a tie pretty much eliminates them from the playoffs. They’re pretty much done.”
The goalkeeper faced two penalties against former teammate Chris Wondolowski and nearly won the mind-games, blocking the first only to concede on the rebound.
“You end up thinking he knows that I know that he knows,” said Wondolowski. “I’ve literally taken hundreds of penalties against him over the seven years we’re together. He made a great save, I was just very fortunate that it popped out to me again.”
The first spot-kick was a flashpoint of contention, as Wondolowski appeared to dish on his former teammate after the goal:
Wondo equalizes for #Quakes74 against #LAGalaxy. His penalty was saved by Bingham, but he scored the rebound, and then yelled at his former teammate for good measure. 1-1. #SJvLA#CaliClasico#MLSpic.twitter.com/SXyiezRsJ8
— Jason Foster (@JogaBonito_USA) July 1, 2018
Gonna throw this out there.. #Quakes74#CaliClasico#SJvLApic.twitter.com/2JCpdJd768
— Dan (@QuakesFan) July 1, 2018
Both downplayed the incident and reconciled after the final whistle, but admitted tensions were running high in the moment. “I literally yell every time,” said Wondo. “I was yelling “YES!” Maybe “Take That!” Nothing at him. I didn’t really mean to stand over him or anything either.”
For the second penalty, Wondolowski plucked the ball out of Bingham’s hands and emphatically drove the ball into the top corner. “I was mad at the first one, I just wanted to put my laces through it,” he said.
The forward also responded to Bingham’s post-match comment with a quip of his own. “We’re halfway through the season. A lot can happen in that. It doesn’t put us in a good spot…but until we’re mathematically out, this locker room has belief. I wouldn’t be surprised if we finish above the Galaxy.”
Wondo’s comments were all in good fun, but the underlying tension is hard to miss.
Defender Nick Lima wasn’t to be drawn into their war of words, but his silence was telling. “That’s between them,” he said. “You saw the celebration.”
