MLS 2027 Plan Could Reduce Galaxy-Earthquakes Meetings

Why the fixture matters

Rivalries in American soccer are often protected by repetition.

• Galaxy v Earthquakes has long been part of the league’s western identity.
• Home-and-away meetings give the fixture rhythm, edge and memory.
• One annual game can still be big; it is harder for it to feel lived-in.

The report points to the most recent meeting - a 1-0 Galaxy win in Carson on August 19, 2026 - as a match that may end up carrying extra historical weight if the old format disappears.

What MLS reportedly wants to change

The update says MLS is considering a more European-style season running from August to May, while also moving away from the traditional Eastern and Western conference setup.

Under the reported plan:

• The league’s 30 clubs would be split into five regional groups.
• Teams would face divisional opponents twice.
• Clubs outside their division would be played only once.

That matters because San Jose and LA Galaxy would reportedly land in different regional groupings, preserving the rivalry in name but trimming its frequency.

What could be lost

Scheduling reform can make sense. Regional play can cut travel and sharpen local races. A new calendar could also bring a cleaner rhythm to the season. But rivalries are not just inventory. They are habit, anticipation and accumulation.

Take away one league date and something else goes with it:

• Less room for a story to build across a season.
• Fewer chances for revenge after a bad result.
• Less certainty for supporters planning around a fixed derby.

If the proposal advances, the next debate will not just be about structure. It will be about what MLS wants to protect as it modernises - and whether the Cali Clasico remains a centerpiece or becomes an annual cameo.