Niko Tsakiris set the tone early for the visiting San Jose Earthquakes, firing the opening strike in the third minute to give his team an immediate advantage. The forward’s quick start proved crucial, as San Jose extended their lead before the halftime whistle.
Preston Judd added a second goal for the visitors in the 12th minute, while Ousseni Bouda completed a dominant first-half performance with a third goal in the 35th minute. By the end of the first half, the Earthquakes held a commanding 3-0 lead, having outplayed their hosts in the opening stretch of the match.
Second-Half Resurgence
San Diego FC, playing at home, refused to fold despite the deficit. The home side began to find their rhythm in the second half, with Anders Dreyer pulling one back in the 42nd minute. That goal signaled a shift in momentum, as the hosts increased their pressure and created more chances.
The game remained tense in the final minutes, with both teams looking to secure a decisive result. The drama peaked in stoppage time when Cédric Bakambu scored for San Diego FC in the 94th minute, narrowing the gap to 3-2 and keeping the hosts alive until the final whistle.
Statistical Breakdown
Despite the late goals, San Jose maintained control of the match’s key metrics. Niko Tsakiris, who opened the scoring, also recorded three total shots for the Earthquakes. On the San Diego side, Elias Achouri was the most active attacker, registering four total shots.
