Tsakiris drives San Jose Earthquakes to 3-2 win over San Diego

San Jose Earthquakes defeated San Diego 3-2 at Snapdragon Stadium on Thursday, September 10, securing a Major League Soccer victory in Regular Season Round 24. San Jose led 3-1 at half-time after a fast start, and despite San Diego’s second-half pressure, the visitors held on for all three points.

San Jose strike early

N. Tsakiris opened the scoring after only three minutes, finishing a move assisted by Beau Leroux. San Diego then conceded a penalty in the eighth minute, but Tsakiris missed the opportunity to extend the lead. The reprieve was short-lived: Tsakiris turned provider four minutes later, assisting Preston Judd for San Jose’s second goal.

San Jose made a change at the half-hour mark, with Ousseni Bouda replacing Judd, and Bouda added the third in the 35th minute from another Tsakiris assist. San Diego responded before the interval when Anders Dreyer scored in the 42nd minute, with Onni Valakari providing the assist. The goal reduced the deficit to two, but the Earthquakes still went into the break 3-1 ahead.

San Diego pressure falls short

San Diego made three changes at half-time, bringing on Amahl Pellegrino, Alejandro Alvarado Jr and kieran sargeant. The hosts controlled 53% of possession and completed 481 accurate passes compared with San Jose’s 423, but that territorial advantage did not produce an equaliser during open play. San Diego had 10 total shots to San Jose’s 11, while both teams registered six shots on goal. The visitors also made four goalkeeper saves to San Diego’s three.

Cédric Bakambu converted a penalty in the 90th minute to give San Diego renewed hope, but San Jose preserved its lead through the closing moments. The match ended with both teams reduced to 10 men. San Diego’s Carlos Joaquim dos Santos was sent off in the 80th minute after earlier receiving a yellow card, while San Jose’s Max Floriani saw a red card in the 90th minute after his earlier booking. Ronaldo Vieira was also cautioned in stoppage time.

Tsakiris leads decisive display

Tsakiris was the standout performer, earning a 9.1 rating after completing 90 minutes with one goal, two assists, two shots on target and four key passes. Dreyer was San Diego’s leading-rated player at 8.2, while Bouda and Judd also scored for the Earthquakes.

San Jose entered the round sixth in the Western Conference with 35 points from 23 games; the win takes its total to 38 from 24 and extends its recent run to four victories. San Diego, ninth with 30 points before kickoff, remains on 30 after its fourth loss in the last six matches.