SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Reid Roberts scored in the last minute of stoppage time and the San Jose Earthquakes secured a 2-2 draw with Los Angeles Football Club on Saturday night in their annual PRIME TIME clash at Levi’s Stadium to extend their unbeaten streak to five league matches.
The match, which was presented by DUDE Wipes and aired globally on Apple TV as their Walmart Saturday Showdown, did not disappoint the 40,518 fans in attendance—the ninth-largest crowd in Major League Soccer regular-season play so far this season.
The visitors opened the scoring in minute 34 when Son Heung-min unleashed a left-footed shot from the top of the box that found the back of the net to make it 1-0 for LAFC. Two minutes later, the Earthquakes responded when Beau Leroux’s through ball found Niko Tsakiris, who was denied a goalscoring opportunity by Aaron Long just outside the box. Referee Drew Fischer pulled out the red card and the LAFC defender was sent off. Now with a man advantage, San Jose assailed the net but nothing came to fruition before the first half concluded.
After intermission, LAFC doubled their advantage in minute 53 when Son conducted a counterattack down the right half-space and fed a streaking Denis Bouanga across the goal for the shorthanded finish to make it 2-0. In minute 63, second-half substitute Preston Judd headed a Tsakiris service on target, but LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris batted it away. Judd would find the mark in the 70th minute when he headed home fellow second-half substitute Timo Werner’s cross from the right wing to cut the lead in half, 2-1.
However, in minute 73, Son appeared to extend the lead back to two goals when he charged into the box and his shot deflected off Quakes defender Reid Roberts, over goalkeeper Angus Gunn and into the net. But a subsequent VAR review ruled that LAFC right back Sergi Palencia fouled San Jose left Vítor Costa in the buildup to annul the goal.
In search of the late equalizer, San Jose came close when Tsakiris’ cross from the right wing was headed on net by Jack Skahan, but Lloris made another acrobatic save to keep the hosts at bay. But with seconds left on the clock in the eighth and final minute of stoppage time, the French international goalkeeper could not deny Roberts. The defender took a pass from Beau Leroux and uncorked a low shot from the very top of the box that found the bottom-right corner to steal a point for San Jose and send the Levi’s Stadium fans who faithfully stuck around for the finish into a state of euphoria. For his clutch performance, Roberts earned Northern California Honda Dealers Man of the Match honors.
The full “Quakes Replay” of tonight’s match is scheduled to air Wednesday, Sept. 23, at 8 p.m. PT on KTVU Plus. For highlights, analysis and features, fans can also watch the new half-hour magazine show “Quakes Exclusive,” which will next air on Wednesday, Oct. 2, on KTVU FOX 2 at 8:30 p.m. PT.
The Black and Blue complete their homestand Saturday, Sept. 26, when they aim to complete a season sweep of the Portland Timbers for the first time in club history. Kickoff from PayPal Park is slated for 7:30 p.m. PT with the match to be broadcast on Apple TV (English/Spanish), as well as via local radio on KSFO 810 AM (English) and La Kaliente 1370 AM (Spanish).
MEDIA ASSETS
GAME NOTES
SEASON SERIES: The Earthquakes won the regular-season series after beating LAFC 4-1 on the road at BMO Stadium on April 19 combined with tonight’s draw. In the all-time series, San Jose is 8-12-2 (37 GF, 54 GA) and 6-3-1 at home (21 GF, 21 GA) against the Black & Gold.
ON THE TABLE: The Earthquakes are now fifth in the Western Conference (12-8-6, 42 points; 45 GF, 38 GA), while LAFC stayed in sixth (11-8-7, 41 points; 44 GF, 27 GA).
BUY DOMESTIC: The Quakes started eight American players tonight. No team in MLS has averaged more of them in the starting 11 more across all competitions in 2026 than Bruce Arena’s Earthquakes (7.4/game). Arena also started seven former college players tonight; no team in MLS has more of them on the roster (19).
COMEBACK KIDS: The Quakes erased a two-goal deficit for just the first time all season. San Jose was previously 0-4-0 in MLS play when falling behind by two goals.
WORLD CUP VENUE: Soccer returned to Levi’s Stadium for PRIME TIME after all six games it hosted during the FIFA World Cup this summer were filled to either 99% or 100% capacity, concluding with the U.S. Men’s National Team’s Round of 32 sellout win over Bosnia and Herzegovina (2-0).
CRACKING THE TOP 10: Saturday’s match at Levi’s® Stadium was the ninth-highest attended MLS regular-season match in 2026 and the third-highest attendance in a game not involving Lionel Messi and Inter Miami. On July 25, 43,026 fans packed Stanford Stadium for the 105th California Clasico against the LA Galaxy—the eighth-most attended game in MLS this season—giving the Quakes two matches in the top 10.
LEVI’S LOVES THE QUAKES: The Quakes improved to 4-1-3 in all matches at Levi’s® Stadium. The first-ever sporting event of any kind at Levi’s® Stadium was an MLS match on Aug. 2, 2014, when the Quakes beat the Seattle Sounders 1-0. In fact, before LAFC won last year’s encounter at Levi’s® Stadium by a 4-2 margin, the Quakes were 4-0-2 in all competitions at the longtime home of the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers, including MLS regular-season wins over LAFC in 2023 (2-1), 2024 (3-1) and a 2024 Leagues Cup victory over Chivas de Guadalajara (1-1, 4-3 PKs), followed by tonight’s 2-2 draw. All five of those matches from 2023-26 surpassed 40,000 fans in attendance.
JUDDGE RULES: Preston Judd’s 70th-minute goal was his team-leading 13th of the season (13g/3a) and 24th career goal in league play.
TIMO TIME: Timo Werner’s 70th-minute primary assist was his eighth in league play (6g/8a) and ninth in all competitions (6g/9a).
NIKO NUMBERS: Niko Tsakiris’ 70th-minute secondary assist was his team-leading 11th in league play (3g/11a) and 14th of his career.
REID THE ROOM: Reid Roberts’ 98th-minute goal was his third of the league season and of his career (3g/1a).
BEAU KNOWS: Beau Leroux’s 98th-minute primary assist was his eighth in league play (4g/8a) and 12th career MLS assist. He now has 14 goal contributions across all competitions (6g/8a).
JACK OF ALL TRADES: Jack Skahan’s 98th-minute secondary assist was his fourth in league play (2g/4a) and eighth career MLS assist. He now has eight goal contributions across all competitions (3g/5a).
SPURS REUNION: Timo Werner and Son Heung-Min played together on Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur (2024-25), where they won the UEFA Europa League. Both impacted the game; Werner recorded an assist as a second-half substitute while Son started and had a goal and assist.
RETURN OF THE JEBO: LAFC forward Jeremy Ebobisse played for San Jose from 2021-24, where he had a stretch of three years scoring 10 or more goals in each season across all competitions. He came on for Son Heung-min in the second minute of stoppage time and completed the match.
San Jose Earthquakes 2 – 2 Los Angeles FC
Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026 — Levi’s Stadium; Santa Clara, Calif.
Weather: 71°F Sunny
NorCal Honda Dealers Man of the Match: Reid Roberts
Attendance: 40,518
*all stats unofficial
Match Officials:
Referee: Drew Fischer
AR1: Cameron Blanchard
AR2: Nick Balcer
4th Official: Ricardo Fierro
VAR: Kevin Stott
AVAR: Joshua Patlak
Scoring Summary:
LAFC (0-1) – Son Heung-min (Mark Delgado, Aaron Long) 34’
LAFC (0-2) – Denis Bouanga (Son Heung-min, Mark Delgado) 53’
SJ (1-2) – Preston Judd (Timo Werner, Niko Tsakiris) 70’
SJ (2-2) – Reid Roberts (Beau Leroux, Jack Skahan) 90+8’
Misconduct Summary:
LAFC – Aaron Long (ejection) 37’
SJ – Preston Judd (caution) 67’
LAFC – Marky Delgado (caution) 73’
LAFC – Sergi Palencia (caution) 75’
SJ – Niko Tsakiris (caution) 90+6’
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: Angus Gunn (GK); Dave Romney, Daniel Munie (Preston Judd HT), Reid Roberts; Niko Tsakiris, Ronaldo Vieira (C) (Jack Skahan 78’), Eduard Löwen, Beau Leroux; Jamar Ricketts (Vítor Costa HT), Benji Kikanović (Paul Marie 62’), Ousseni Bouda (Timo Werner 62’).
Substitutes not used: Earl Edwards Jr. (GK), Nick Fernandez, Ian Harkes, Jack Jasinski.
POSS.: 63.3%; SHOTS: 21; SOG: 9; CORNERS: 17; OFFSIDES: 0; SAVES: 1; FOULS: 8; xG: 1.9
LOS ANGELES FC: Hugo Lloris (GK); Ryan Porteous, Sergi Palencia, Yevhen Cheberko, Aaron Long (C); Eddie Segura, Mark Delgado, Mathieu Choiniere (Tyler Boyd 78’); Denis Bouanga (Jacob Shaffelburg 86’), Armindo Sieb (Nkosi Tafari HT), Son Heung-min (Jeremy Ebobisse 90+2’).
Substitutes not used: Cabral Carter (GK), Ryan Hollingshead, Kenneth Nielsen, Jude Terry, Leo Walta.
POSS.: 36.7%; SHOTS: 4; SOG: 3; CORNERS: 3; OFFSIDES: 1; SAVES: 7; FOULS: 7; xG: 0.7
EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH BRUCE ARENA
On earning a point against LAFC tonight:
“The fact that we went down two goals and came back and got a point out of the game is a tremendous test of character and competitiveness on our part. I thought LAFC did an outstanding job in trying to close out the game. So give both teams credit. This was a really good MLS game today. A lot of quality out there.”
“I think that was a very entertaining game for the people here—and to see players like Son [Heung-min] and [Denis] Bouanga and [Hugo] Lloris, he was fantastic. And to see quality like [Timo] Werner and have those kind of players on the field—that was enjoyable and a great setting. The stadium did a fantastic job. The fan base was great. So a good day for MLS.”
On the importance of tonight’s match during the final stretch of the regular season:
“LAFC and us are battling each other in the standings. To get a wash out of them today is a positive. I'm obviously disappointed in us falling behind by two goals. I think in both halves we played some good football. I thought [Hugo] Lloris was outstanding. He made two or three very good saves—the difference in the game.”
On the history and significance of California rivalries in MLS:
“I was the [United States Men’s] National Team coach for nine years, maybe in and out of MLS for 10 years, and I was here in '96. I played the first MLS game in San Jose when we had 10 teams in the league. We now have 30. Yet one of the most interesting things I've seen over the years is how California has taken on four MLS teams, and the rivalry and the passion that the fans have for this. These are the best games we play every year, and it's fantastic. And I hope it can continue because there's a lot of competitiveness amongst the teams and the fan bases are tremendous for these games. The California clubs have the best rivalries and competition anywhere in MLS.”
EARTHQUAKES DEFENDER REID ROBERTS
On his goal and decision to shoot:
“Yeah, we kept getting high up the field into the final third, creating chances. I kept getting the ball in that same area a couple of times, and I was thinking about shooting, but shooting isn’t my best ability, so I didn’t want to waste it. But I just had an instinctive moment where I took a decent touch and went for it, and it went into the bottom right corner. So I’m super happy I took the shot.”
On surpassing last season’s point total and the team’s goals moving forward:
“Yeah, it feels good. I think we’re still aiming to get a lot more points, and I feel like we could already have a lot more. But it feels good to surpass last year. We’re not really focused on last year, though. We have new goals this year, and we want to keep going as far as we can.”
On the team’s formation change and performances since the break:
“Yeah, I feel like at the beginning of the season, we pretty much had our way with every team, and no one could really figure us out. Coming back from the break, I feel like teams had started to figure us out and how to expose our weaknesses. With the formation change and Edu [Löwen] coming in, it’s been great. We have a lot more numbers in the midfield, and we have some really talented midfielders. Having those numbers in the middle helps us win the ball back when we lose possession, and we’re more secure in the back with three center backs and two wingbacks. I think that’s been a big reason why we’ve been doing better.”
On the team’s resilience and belief in coming back from a two-goal deficit:
“Yeah, I feel like there have been many games this year where we conceded first and came back to win. Even when we were two goals down, I still felt like that belief was there. We fought together as a team, came back and got a result. I think that helps us moving forward. The next time we concede first or even go two goals down, we know we’re not going to give up because we’ve shown we can come back and get a result.”