SAN DIEGO — Niko Tsakiris scored a goal and amassed a pair of assists as the San Jose Earthquakes defeated San Diego FC 3-2 on Wednesday night at Snapdragon Stadium in Major League Soccer regular-season play to extend their unbeaten streak to three games.
The Earthquakes opened the El Camino Rivalry second leg in shocking fashion when Niko Tsakiris outraced the back line in the third minute, took a long ball from Beau Leroux and curled a left-footed shot past SDFC goalkeeper CJ Dos Santos from just outside the box to give San Jose an early 1-0 lead. Two minutes later, another long ball resulted in Preston Judd getting tackled by Dos Santos in the box. Referee Alexis Da Silva awarded the Quakes a penalty kick, but Dos Santos saved Tsakiris’ attempt.
However, Tsakiris would show his resiliency almost immediately in the 12th minute, placing a perfect diagonal ball in the box for a streaking Judd. The forward beat his defender once again and a diving Dos Santos to slot it home for his team-leading 12th goal of the season and a 2-0 San Jose lead. Judd would later come off for Ousseni Bouda in minute 30 due to injury. The latter would pick up the scoring slack when in minute 35, Tsakiris got involved in his third goal of the match, pinging a beautiful ball for a charging Bouda who headed it from just inside the edge of the 18-yard box into the back of the net.
The hosts pulled one back in minute 42 when Elias Achouri’s low cross from the left wing bounced off Onni Valakari and was hammered home by an opportunistic Anders Dreyer from the penalty spot to make it 3-1.
In the second half, Dos Santos came off his line and collided with a charging Bouda was sent off with his second yellow card in minute 81, leaving SDFC with 10 men. Despite the disadvantage, they drew closer in stoppage time when a penalty was awarded for a foul in the box on San Jose’s Max Floriani, who also incurred his second booking and was sent off. Newly acquired Cedric Bakambu converted from the spot in the 94th minute to make it 3-2. But the Quakes’ defense held strong through the final whistle and secured their first win since the FIFA World Cup break. The result also snaps SDFC’s five-game winning streak at Snapdragon Stadium across all competitions.
San Jose moved up to fifth place in the Western Conference (11-8-5; 38 points), while San Diego FC remained in ninth (8-10-6; 30 points).
The full “Quakes Replay” of tonight’s match is scheduled to air Sunday, Sept. 13, 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 Friday, Sept. 18, on KTVU FOX 2 at 8:30 p.m. PT.
The Black and Blue will return home Saturday, Sept. 12, to host Houston Dynamo FC. 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).
GAME NOTES
EL CAMINO RIVALRY: The Quakes ran their unbeaten streak to three tonight vs. SDFC after winning their last three regular-season meetings. In the Black and Blue’s first and last trip to Snapdragon Stadium on Sept. 27. 2025, San Jose got an early goal from Josef Martínez and then leaned on Ronaldo Vieira (above) and the defense to hold on for a 1-0 victory. In the Quakes’ last game overall against SDFC at PayPal Park on April 4, Niko Tsakiris notched a brace in a 3-0 win.
ON THE TABLE: The Earthquakes are now fifth in the Western Conference (11-8-5, 38 points; 43 GF, 36 GA), while San Diego is ninth (8-10-6, 30 points; 40 GF, 34 GA).
BRUCE ALMIGHTY: Bruce Arena extended his MLS record among head coaches with his 284th regular-season win. The late great Sigi Schmid is second with 240.
PROGRESS: The Quakes already matched the 2025 campaign’s league win total of 11 tonight.
ROAD WARRIORS: Only Inter Miami CF (8-2-3) has more MLS road wins in 2026 than the Quakes (7-3-3), and FC Dallas (7-4-3). However, securing the seventh one was a challenge tonight against an SDFC team that had won five in a row at home across all competitions. The San Jose single-season record for road wins is nine, set by the 2012 Supporters’ Shield winners.
SERIAL THREATS: Although the overall series between the two clubs is brief since SDFC joined the league as an expansion team in 2025, 10 different Quakes have now recorded at least one goal contribution, led by Niko Tsakiris (3g/2a) and Preston Judd (2g/1a).
NIKO NUMBERS: Niko Tsakiris’ third-minute goal was his third of the MLS season and fourth across all competitions. It was also the fourth of his MLS career. Tsakiris’ 12th-minute and 34th-minute assists were his team-leading ninth and 10th of the league season and 12th and 13th of his MLS career. The 21-year-old from Saratoga now has four goal contributions in the last two games (1g/3a) and a total of 4g/10a across all competitions in this breakthrough 2026 campaign.
BEAU KNOWS: Beau Leroux’s third-minute primary assist was his sixth of the season and 10th career assist in league play. He now has 12 goal contributions across all competitions (6g/6a).
LUKA LUMINATES: Luka Jovanović’s third-minute secondary assist was his first career goal contribution for San Jose. The 21-year-old Australian striker recently joined the Quakes after co-leading the Australian A-League in goals last season.
JUDDGE RULES: Preston Judd’s 12th-minute goal was his team-leading 12th of the league campaign and 23rd of his MLS career. It was also his first goal since MLS resumed play after the FIFA World Cup break.
AN “A” FOR JJ: Jack Jasinski’s 12th-minute secondary assist was his first career one in MLS play. The second-round MLS SuperDraft pick out of Princeton University has three goal contributions across all competitions in his first season (2g/1a).
BOUDA ROCKING: Ousseni Bouda’s 34th-minute goal was his sixth in league and 11th career goal in MLS play. He now has 11 goal contributions across all competitions (6g/5a).
MUNIE IS MOVING: Daniel Munie’s 34th-secondary assist was his fourth of the league season and seventh career assist in MLS play.
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).
FORMER QUAKES IN SD: SDFC defender Oscar Verhoeven, forward Amahl Pellegrino, midfielder Anibal Godoy and Assistant Coach Luciano Fusco will be facing their former team. Originally from Pleasant Hill, Verhoeven was a Quakes Homegrown Player and made seven appearances from 2023-25 before being traded to SJ last season. Pellegrino led SJ with seven goals in 2024 but was also traded to SD the following campaign. Godoy played five seasons in SJ from 2015-19, amassing five goals and seven assists. Spanning 2018-24, Fusco held roles as Quakes Academy head coach, assistant coach of Quakes II in MLS NEXT Pro, followed by First Team assistant coach.
TROPHY TIME: By virtue of sweeping the season series, the Quakes will take home the El Camino Rivalry Trophy, which was established by the two clubs’ respective supporters’ groups: San Jose’s Faultline and SDFC’s Riptides.
San Diego FC 2 – 3 San Jose Earthquakes
Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026 — Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego
Weather: 79°F Mostly Sunny
Attendance: 18,799
NorCal Honda Dealers Man of the Match: Niko Tsakiris
*all stats unofficial
Match Officials:
Referee: Alexis Da Silva
AR1: Jeremy Hanson
AR2: Logan Brown
4th Official: Corbyn May
VAR: Victor Rivas
AVAR: Mike Kampmeinert
Scoring Summary:
SJ (0-1) – Niko Tsakiris (Beau Leroux, Luka Jovanović) 3’
SJ (0-2) – Preston Judd (Niko Tsakiris, Jack Jasinski) 12’
SJ (0-3) – Ousseni Bouda (Niko Tsakiris, Daniel Munie) 35’
SD (1-3) – Anders Dreyer (Onni Valakari, Elias Achouri) 42’
SD (2-3) – Cedric Bakambu (penalty kick) 90+4’
Misconduct Summary:
SD – CJ Dos Santos (caution) 6’
SJ – Preston Judd (caution) 12’
SD – Christopher McVey (caution) 18’
SJ – Ousseni Bouda (caution) 37’
SJ – Beau Leroux (caution) 45+3’
SD – Jeppe Tverskov (caution) 52’
SJ – Max Floriani (caution) 75’
SD – CJ Dos Santos (caution, ejection) 81’
SJ – Max Floriani (caution, ejection) 90+2’
SJ – Ronaldo Vieira (caution) 90+5’
SAN DIEGO FC: CJ Dos Santos (GK); Doug Thorhallson (Kieran Sargeant HT), Manu Duah, Oscar Verhoeven, Christopher McVey; Jeppe Tverskov (C), Gabriel Pirani (Amahl Pellegrino 45+2’), Anibal Godoy (Alejandro Alvarado HT) (Duran Ferree (GK) 82’), Elias Achouri, Anders Dreyer, Onni Valakari (Cedric Bakambu 68’).
Substitutes not used: Bryce Duke, Ian Murphy, David Vasquez, Bryan Zamblé.
POSS.: 55.2%; SHOTS: 10; SOG: 6; CORNERS: 1; OFFSIDES: 3; SAVES: 3; FOULS: 13; xG: 2.2
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: Angus Gunn (GK); Vítor Costa, Reid Roberts (Max Floriani HT), Dave Romney (C), Daniel Munie, Jack Jasinski (Benji Kikanovic 68’); Ian Harkes, Beau Leroux (Ronaldo Vieira 67’), Niko Tsakiris; Luka Jovanović (Eduard Löwen HT), Preston Judd (Ousseni Bouda 30’).
Substitutes not used: Francesco Montali (GK), Nick Fernandez, Jamar Ricketts, Jack Skahan.
POSS.: 44.8%; SHOTS: 11; SOG: 6; CORNERS: 3; OFFSIDES: 1; SAVES: 4; FOULS: 17; xG: 1.4
EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH BRUCE ARENA
On the team’s performance in difficult conditions:
“Our team did very well. It’s an excellent win on the road in difficult conditions. We’ve played three games in a row in 90-plus-degree temperatures, and we could have won all three.”
On facilitating the chemistry between Niko Tsakiris and Beau Leroux:
“Well, the facilitation is through training and games. They get to know each other, and they continue to grow as young players and build connections. It’s a team. Obviously, some very good goals by [Ousseni] Bouda and Preston [Judd] as well, and we missed a penalty. ... But listen, you go on the road to a place like San Diego, where they’re very successful at home, and you win, you can’t complain. Look at the last game; we’re in Austin in the closing seconds and don’t get the three points, which we should have had. So our team is very close to really turning the corner and being a pretty good team. I’m pleased. We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us to get our team ready for Saturday against Houston.”
On Angus Gunn’s progression:
“Angus’ last three games are beginning to show the goalkeeper he can be. Obviously, he needed games. He hadn’t been playing regularly over the last couple of years, so it’s taken him some time. Tonight, and in Austin and Houston, I thought he played very well.”
EARTHQUAKES MIDFILDER NIKO TSAKIRIS
On building momentum and taking it game by game:
“Like I continue to say, we take it game by game. Going to Texas and getting two points on the road was big for us, just for momentum. Then coming into tonight, we continued to take it match by match, and the team had a great performance.”
On building chemistry after returning to the team:
“I think it was just a matter of time. Obviously, I was out for a little bit, and coming back into the team, I knew it was going to take some time to build up that chemistry. Tonight, I think it’s starting to show little by little.”
On the team’s playoff aspirations and approach down the stretch:
“Obviously, we’re aware of the standings. I think everybody is right now, but our approach is still the same. We know what needs to be done. Our goal is to make the playoffs and have a home playoff match. That’s been our goal. But how do we get there? We have to take it day by day, game by game, and make sure we’re all on the same page.”
