San Jose Earthquakes Midfielder CRISTIAN ESPINOZA (10) drives up field during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and St Louis City SC at PayPal Park in San Jose, CaliforniaSt Louis City SC Midfielder CHRIS DURKIN (8) works to get the ball out of danger during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and St Louis City SC at PayPal Park in San Jose, CaliforniaSan Jose Earthquakes Midfielder RONY VIEIRA (37) moves the ball forward under pressure from St Louis City SC Midfielder CÉLIO POMPEU (12) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and St Louis City SC at PayPal Park in San Jose, CaliforniaSan Jose Earthquakes Midfielder CRISTIAN ESPINOZA (10) crosses the ball during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and St Louis City SC at PayPal Park in San Jose, CaliforniaSan Jose Earthquakes Defender OUSSENI BOUDA (11) drives the ball up field during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and St Louis City SC at PayPal Park in San Jose, CaliforniaSt Louis City SC Midfielder CHRIS DURKIN (8) looks for a teammate during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and St Louis City SC at PayPal Park in San Jose, CaliforniaSan Jose Earthquakes Midfielder CRISTIAN ESPINOZA (10) crosses the ball during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and St Louis City SC at PayPal Park in San Jose, CaliforniaSt Louis City SC Defender KYLE HIEBERT (22) passes the ball during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and St Louis City SC at PayPal Park in San Jose, CaliforniaSt Louis City SC Midfielder MARCEL HARTEL (17) looks for a teammate during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and St Louis City SC at PayPal Park in San Jose, CaliforniaSan Jose Earthquakes Defender OUSSENI BOUDA (11) prepares to take a shot during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and St Louis City SC at PayPal Park in San Jose, CaliforniaSan Jose Earthquakes Defender OUSSENI BOUDA (11) shoots into St Louis City SC Defender TIMO BAUMGARTL (32) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and St Louis City SC at PayPal Park in San Jose, CaliforniaSt Louis City SC Goalkeeper ROMAN BÜRKI (1) grabs a high shot during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and St Louis City SC at PayPal Park in San Jose, CaliforniaSt Louis City SC Goalkeeper ROMAN BÜRKI (1) dives to ensure a San Jose shot goes wide of the goal during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and St Louis City SC at PayPal Park in San Jose, CaliforniaSan Jose Earthquakes Forward CHICHO ARANGO (9) drives forward under pressure from St Louis City SC Defender DEVIN PADELFORD (2) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and St Louis City SC at PayPal Park in San Jose, CaliforniaSan Jose Earthquakes Defender OUSSENI BOUDA (11) moves the ball forward during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and St Louis City SC at PayPal Park in San Jose, CaliforniaSan Jose Earthquakes Defender OUSSENI BOUDA (11) dribbles under pressure from St Louis City SC Midfielder CHRIS DURKIN (8) and St Louis City SC Forward BRENDAN MCSORLEY (80) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and St Louis City SC at PayPal Park in San Jose, CaliforniaSan Jose Earthquakes Defender OUSSENI BOUDA (11) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and St Louis City SC at PayPal Park in San Jose, CaliforniaSan Jose Earthquakes Midfielder CRISTIAN ESPINOZA (10) controls the ball during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and St Louis City SC at PayPal Park in San Jose, CaliforniaSt Louis City SC Defender DEVIN PADELFORD (2) blocks a cross from San Jose Earthquakes Midfielder CRISTIAN ESPINOZA (10) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and St Louis City SC at PayPal Park in San Jose, CaliforniaSan Jose Earthquakes Forward CHICHO ARANGO (9) cuts the ball back against St Louis City SC Midfielder CÉLIO POMPEU (12) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and St Louis City SC at PayPal Park in San Jose, CaliforniaSt Louis City SC Midfielder CÉLIO POMPEU (12) is called for a penalty kick against San Jose Earthquakes Forward CHICHO ARANGO (9) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and St Louis City SC at PayPal Park in San Jose, CaliforniaSan Jose Earthquakes Forward CHICHO ARANGO (9) shoots a penalty kick during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and St Louis City SC at PayPal Park in San Jose, CaliforniaSan Jose Earthquakes Forward CHICHO ARANGO (9) works against St Louis City SC Defender DEVIN PADELFORD (2) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and St Louis City SC at PayPal Park in San Jose, CaliforniaSan Jose Earthquakes Midfielder RONY VIEIRA (37) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and St Louis City SC at PayPal Park in San Jose, CaliforniaSan Jose Earthquakes Midfielder RONY VIEIRA (37) crosses the ball during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and St Louis City SC at PayPal Park in San Jose, CaliforniaSan Jose Earthquakes Midfielder CRISTIAN ESPINOZA (10) cuts the ball back against St Louis City SC Midfielder CÉLIO POMPEU (12) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and St Louis City SC at PayPal Park in San Jose, CaliforniaSan Jose Earthquakes Defender DANIEL MUNIE (5) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and St Louis City SC at PayPal Park in San Jose, CaliforniaSan Jose Earthquakes Defender DANIEL MUNIE (5) passes the ball during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and St Louis City SC at PayPal Park in San Jose, CaliforniaSt Louis City SC Midfielder MARCEL HARTEL (17) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and St Louis City SC at PayPal Park in San Jose, CaliforniaSt Louis City SC Forward JOÃO KLAUSS (9) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and St Louis City SC at PayPal Park in San Jose, CaliforniaSt Louis City SC Forward JOÃO KLAUSS (9) drives into the penalty box during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and St Louis City SC at PayPal Park in San Jose, CaliforniaSt Louis City SC Midfielder EDUARD LÖWEN (10) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and St Louis City SC at PayPal Park in San Jose, CaliforniaSt Louis City SC Midfielder EDUARD LÖWEN (10) protects the ball against San Jose Earthquakes Forward CHICHO ARANGO (9) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and St Louis City SC at PayPal Park in San Jose, CaliforniaSt Louis City SC Midfielder EDUARD LÖWEN (10) crosses a free kick during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and St Louis City SC at PayPal Park in San Jose, CaliforniaSt Louis City SC Midfielder MARCEL HARTEL (17) shoots under pressure from San Jose Earthquakes Midfielder RONY VIEIRA (37) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and St Louis City SC at PayPal Park in San Jose, CaliforniaSt Louis City SC Forward MYKHI JOYNER (59) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and St Louis City SC at PayPal Park in San Jose, CaliforniaSt Louis City SC Forward MYKHI JOYNER (59) cuts back against San Jose Earthquakes Forward BENJI KIKANOVIĆ (28) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and St Louis City SC at PayPal Park in San Jose, CaliforniaSan Jose Earthquakes Defender DANIEL MUNIE (5) dribbles away from pressure from St Louis City SC Forward SIMON BECHER (11) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and St Louis City SC at PayPal Park in San Jose, CaliforniaSan Jose Earthquakes Midfielder BEAU LEROUX (34) dribbles across the field under pressure from St Louis City SC Midfielder SETH ANTWI (49) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and St Louis City SC at PayPal Park in San Jose, CaliforniaSt Louis City SC Forward MYKHI JOYNER (59) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and St Louis City SC at PayPal Park in San Jose, California
PRESS RELEASE:
Sept. 20, 2025
MATCH RECAP: Earthquakes 1, St. Louis CITY SC 3
San Jose unable to overcome early deficit; Quakes go on the road next Saturday to face San Diego FC
SAN JOSE, Calif. — The San Jose Earthquakes fell to St. Louis CITY SC 3-1 on Saturday at PayPal Park in Major League Soccer regular-season play in front of 15,337 fans.
The visitors opened the scoring in the 10th minute when Brendan McSorley poked home a João Klauss cross to make it 1-0. St. Louis doubled their advantage in the 19th minute when McSorley headed down an aerial and Marcel Hartel curled it off the bounce from the arc into the back of the net.
In the 29th minute, the Quakes answered when CITY SC right winger Celio Pompeo fouled Cristian Arango in the box, prompting referee Sergii Demianchuk to award San Jose a penalty kick. “Chicho” converted from the spot two minutes later to cut the lead in half, 2-1. McSorley added a second goal in the 45th minute by heading in a Hartel cross from the right wing to extend the St. Louis lead back to 3-1 before the halftime whistle.
The Quakes showed resolve after intermission and assailed the opposing net, eventually amassing 23 total shots and 11 on goal. But St. Louis goalkeeper Roman Bürki was a stalwart in net, making nine saves on the night and keeping San Jose to one goal before the final whistle.
The Black and Blue now travel to Snapdragon Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 27, to face San Diego FC. Kickoff will take place at 7:30 p.m. PT and will be broadcast globally via MLS Season Pass on Apple TV (English/Spanish), as well as via local radio on KSFO 810 AM (English) and 1370 AM La Kaliente (Spanish).
GAME NOTES
With the result, San Jose is now 11th in the MLS Western Conference with 35 points (9-14-8). Meanwhile St. Louis is 13th with 28 points (7-17-7).
The Quakes are now 0-6-0 (4 GF, 14 GA) against St. Louis in MLS regular-season play with an 0-3-0 (3 GF, 7 GA) record at home.
With one goal tonight, San Jose remains in the top four in MLS with 56 team goals scored.
In the 31st minute, Quakes forward Cristian “Chicho” Arango scored his team-leading 13th goal this season and 66th of his MLS career. He has netted five goals in just three matches against CITY SC.
Tonight was Filipino Heritage Night at PayPal Park, with several Filipino-American luminaries on hand to watch the game, namely halftime musical performer and recording artist P-Lo, 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup goalscorer Sarina Bolden, 2026 FIFA World Cup Bay Area poster artist LeRoid David, UFC featherweight contender Hyder Amil, NBC Bay Area anchor Audrey Asistio and Señor Sisig co-founders Evan Kidera and Gil Payumo.
In honor of Kick Childhood Cancer Month, seven-year-old leukemia survivor Misha Gottesman was tonight’s Honorary Captain and walked out onto the field with Quakes captain Cristian Espinoza. Gottesman signed a one-day contract earlier this week to be an Earthquake for a Day.
A trio of Quakes have close connections to St. Louis. Assistant Coach Steve Ralston attended nearby Oakville High and Forest Park Community College before embarking on a legendary MLS playing career. Defender Daniel Munie, from Maryland Heights, played for St. Louis Scott Gallagher and Saint Louis FC as a youth. Finally, defender Max Floriani starred at Saint Louis University before San Jose drafted him second overall in this year’s MLS SuperDraft.
San Jose Earthquakes 1 – 3 St. Louis CITY SC
Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025 — PayPal Park; San Jose, Calif.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: Daniel (GK); Bruno Wilson (Josef Martínez 63’), Dave Romney, Daniel Munie; Vítor Costa (Jamar Ricketts 79’), Ronaldo Vieira, Mark-Anthony Kaye (Benji Kikanović 63’); Ousseni Bouda, Cristian Espinoza (C) (Jack Skahan 89’); Chicho Arango, Preston Judd (Beau Leroux 79’).
Substitutes not used: Earl Edwards Jr. (GK); Max Floriani, Ian Harkes, Rodrigues.
“[It’s] the same problem we’ve had all year. We’ve had a very difficult time with our defending in front of the goal. And oddly enough, it’s something we place a lot of attention on, and we can’t get it right with our back line. They have not done a good job marking people, to be very honest about it. It’s at a point where it’s very surprising to us what we’re seeing.”
On the team’s defensive mistakes tonight:
“You could put 10 [players] back there. If they don’t mark anybody in front of the goal, it doesn’t matter. They’re all in position to make plays. A guy that’s never started the game in the league has scored two goals tonight. Credit to [Brendan McSorley].”
On the Quakes’ goal differential after a strong attacking performance this season:
“There’s no consistency throughout the year. Even though we started with two wins, we’ve been up and down the entire year. … We do score some goals. We score as many goals as most teams in the league. Our issue has been defending, paying the price.”
EARTHQUAKES TEAM CAPTAIN CRISTIAN ESPINOZA
On how to keep a leader mentality:
“I try to give a positive message and push all of us together. I know that my teammates are trying to do their best, but at this point of the season we need more from everybody.”
On the overall defending of the team:
“Defense is not just from the defenders. We all need to defend players. We have so many good players, but if we don’t work as a team we don’t achieve anything. The only one way is for everybody to run, everybody to defend, and then everybody attacks.”
On testing different tactical formations:
“I think that we have experienced so many changes tactically. We’ve been working, I think, the whole year with the back three. Then last game we played 4-3-3. I think that we work really hard to get the tactics right. In some games we are able to do it, and some not. I think we all need to step up in those situations.”
On the team’s focus heading into the final stretch of games:
“We are hesitating too much when the game starts. We don’t take risks, we don’t go forward, and we don’t play well. When do score, we try to go forward, we try to take risks. At some point we have to take the risk from the beginning. The responsibility is 100% on us as the players.”
Los Angeles FC Forward SON HEUNG-MIN (7) prepares for a corner kick during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Los Angeles FC at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CaliforniaSan Jose Earthquakes Midfielder CRISTIAN ESPINOZA (10) dribbles down the side of the field looking for his teammates during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Los Angeles FC at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CaliforniaSan Jose Earthquakes Defender RODRIGUES (26) slide tackles the ball from Los Angeles FC Defender ARTEM SMOLIAKOV (29) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Los Angeles FC at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CaliforniaSan Jose Earthquakes Defender RODRIGUES (26) looks for a teammate under pressure from Los Angeles FC Defender ARTEM SMOLIAKOV (29) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Los Angeles FC at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CaliforniaSan Jose Earthquakes Midfielder BEAU LEROUX (34) looks for a teammate during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Los Angeles FC at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CaliforniaSan Jose Earthquakes Midfielder BEAU LEROUX (34) looks for a teammate during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Los Angeles FC at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CaliforniaSan Jose Earthquakes Defender RODRIGUES (26) looks to pass under pressure from Los Angeles FC Midfielder MATHIEU CHOINOÉRE (66) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Los Angeles FC at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CaliforniaLos Angeles FC Forward SON HEUNG-MIN (7) passes out of pressure from San Jose Earthquakes Defender VITOR COSTA (94) and San Jose Earthquakes Midfielder IAN HARKES (6) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Los Angeles FC at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CaliforniaSan Jose Earthquakes Forward CHICHO ARANGO (9) drives toward goal during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Los Angeles FC at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CaliforniaSan Jose Earthquakes Forward CHICHO ARANGO (9) drives toward goal under pressure from Los Angeles FC Defender SERGI PALENCIA (14) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Los Angeles FC at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CaliforniaSan Jose Earthquakes Forward CHICHO ARANGO (9) drives toward goal during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Los Angeles FC at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CaliforniaSan Jose Earthquakes Forward CHICHO ARANGO (9) looks for a pass during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Los Angeles FC at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CaliforniaSan Jose Earthquakes Forward CHICHO ARANGO (9) tries to get past Los Angeles FC Midfielder MATHIEU CHOINOÉRE (66) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Los Angeles FC at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CaliforniaSan Jose Earthquakes Midfielder CRISTIAN ESPINOZA (10) drives away from pressure from Los Angeles FC Defender ARTEM SMOLIAKOV (29) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Los Angeles FC at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CaliforniaSan Jose Earthquakes Midfielder RONY VIEIRA (37) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Los Angeles FC at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CaliforniaSan Jose Earthquakes Midfielder CRISTIAN ESPINOZA (10) looks for a teammate against pressure from Los Angeles FC Defender ARTEM SMOLIAKOV (29) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Los Angeles FC at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CaliforniaSan Jose Earthquakes Midfielder CRISTIAN ESPINOZA (10) cuts back against Los Angeles FC Defender ARTEM SMOLIAKOV (29) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Los Angeles FC at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CaliforniaSan Jose Earthquakes Midfielder RONY VIEIRA (37) tackles Los Angeles FC Forward DENIS BOUANGA (99) from behind during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Los Angeles FC at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CaliforniaSan Jose Earthquakes Midfielder CRISTIAN ESPINOZA (10) and San Jose Earthquakes Forward CHICHO ARANGO (9) plead with Referee RUBIEL VASQUEZ to consider the big screen monitor for a potential hand ball during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Los Angeles FC at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CaliforniaSan Jose Earthquakes Midfielder IAN HARKES (6) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Los Angeles FC at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CaliforniaSan Jose Earthquakes Midfielder IAN HARKES (6) dribbles away from pressure from Los Angeles FC Midfielder TIMOTHY TILLMAN (11) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Los Angeles FC at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CaliforniaSan Jose Earthquakes Midfielder BEAU LEROUX (34) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Los Angeles FC at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CaliforniaSan Jose Earthquakes Midfielder BEAU LEROUX (34) slides and fouls Los Angeles FC Defender ARTEM SMOLIAKOV (29) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Los Angeles FC at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CaliforniaLos Angeles FC Defender ARTEM SMOLIAKOV (29) tries to dribble out of pressure from San Jose Earthquakes Midfielder CRISTIAN ESPINOZA (10) and San Jose Earthquakes Defender RODRIGUES (26) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Los Angeles FC at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CaliforniaLos Angeles FC Forward DENIS BOUANGA (99) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Los Angeles FC at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CaliforniaLos Angeles FC Forward DENIS BOUANGA (99) dribbles across the field under pressure from San Jose Earthquakes Defender DANIEL MUNIE (5) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Los Angeles FC at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CaliforniaSan Jose Earthquakes Forward CHICHO ARANGO (9) cuts back against Los Angeles FC Midfielder MARK DELGADO (8) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Los Angeles FC at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CaliforniaSan Jose Earthquakes Midfielder RONY VIEIRA (37) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Los Angeles FC at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CaliforniaSan Jose Earthquakes Forward PRESTON JUDD (19) moves the ball away from pressure from Los Angeles FC Defender NKOSI TAFARI (91) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Los Angeles FC at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CaliforniaLos Angeles FC Forward DENIS BOUANGA (99) prepares for a corner kick from the Earthquakes during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Los Angeles FC at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CaliforniaLos Angeles FC Goalkeeper HUGO LLORIS (1) pushes a cross past the goal during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Los Angeles FC at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CaliforniaSan Jose Earthquakes Midfielder BEAU LEROUX (34) head the ball over Los Angeles FC Defender SERGI PALENCIA (14) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Los Angeles FC at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CaliforniaIn front of a crowd of 50,978, San Jose Earthquakes Forward CHICHO ARANGO (9) and San Jose Earthquakes Midfielder CRISTIAN ESPINOZA (10) prepare to take a free kick outside the penalty box with a full wall from LAFC during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Los Angeles FC at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CaliforniaLos Angeles FC Goalkeeper HUGO LLORIS (1) parries the ball away from the goal during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Los Angeles FC at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CaliforniaSan Jose Earthquakes Midfielder IAN HARKES (6) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Los Angeles FC at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CaliforniaSan Jose Earthquakes Defender DANIEL MUNIE (5) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Los Angeles FC at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CaliforniaSan Jose Earthquakes Defender RODRIGUES (26) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Los Angeles FC at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CaliforniaSan Jose Earthquakes Defender RODRIGUES (26) crosses the ball during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Los Angeles FC at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CaliforniaSan Jose Earthquakes Midfielder IAN HARKES (6) shoots the ball with a diving Los Angeles FC Midfielder TIMOTHY TILLMAN (11) attempting to block his shot during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Los Angeles FC at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CaliforniaLos Angeles FC Defender ARTEM SMOLIAKOV (29) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Los Angeles FC at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CaliforniaLos Angeles FC Forward DENIS BOUANGA (99) drives the ball upfield during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Los Angeles FC at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CaliforniaLos Angeles FC Forward DENIS BOUANGA (99) drives the ball upfield during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Los Angeles FC at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CaliforniaLos Angeles FC Defender SERGI PALENCIA (14) controls the ball during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Los Angeles FC at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CaliforniaLos Angeles FC Forward DENIS BOUANGA (99) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Los Angeles FC at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CaliforniaLos Angeles FC Forward DENIS BOUANGA (99) drives the ball across the field during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Los Angeles FC at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CaliforniaLos Angeles FC Forward DENIS BOUANGA (99) looks for a teammate under pressure from San Jose Earthquakes Defender DANIEL MUNIE (5) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Los Angeles FC at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CaliforniaLos Angeles FC Forward DENIS BOUANGA (99) cuts the ball back against San Jose Earthquakes Defender DANIEL MUNIE (5) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Los Angeles FC at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CaliforniaLos Angeles FC Forward SON HEUNG-MIN (7) is replaced by Los Angeles FC Forward DAVID MARTÍNEZ (30) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Los Angeles FC at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CaliforniaLos Angeles FC Forward DAVID MARTÍNEZ (30) and Los Angeles FC Midfielder ANDY MORAN (19) congratulate Los Angeles FC Forward DENIS BOUANGA (99) on his hat trick during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Los Angeles FC at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CaliforniaLos Angeles FC Defender EDDIE SEGURA (4) congratulates Los Angeles FC Forward DENIS BOUANGA (99) on his hat trick during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Los Angeles FC at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California
PRESS RELEASE:
Sept. 13, 2025
MATCH RECAP: Earthquakes 2, LAFC 4
San Jose falls behind early as comeback bid falls short in front of club-record crowd of 50,978 fans; Quakes return to PayPal Park Sept. 20 vs. St. Louis CITY SC
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The San Jose Earthquakes fell to LAFC 4-2 on Saturday at Levi’s® Stadium in Major League Soccer regular-season play in front of 50,978 fans, breaking the all-time club standalone attendance record set in 2019.
The visitors struck first with three goals in the initial 12 minutes. Son Heung-min opened the scoring in the first minute, finishing off a feed from Artem Smoliakov. Denis Bouanga then added a brace in the ninth and 12th minutes to triple LAFC’s advantage.
San Jose finally answered the bell in the 18th minute when Cristian “Chicho” Arango slalomed through multiple defenders and pushed the ball ahead to Preston Judd for the finish to make it 3-1 before the half’s conclusion.
After intermission, the Quakes pushed for a comeback but Bouanga added an insurance goal in the 87th minute for LAFC. San Jose scored off an own goal in the 90th minute by Sergi Palencia that originated from a Benji Kikanović cross to serve as the final margin, 4-2.
The Black and Blue now return to PayPal Park Saturday, Sept. 20, to face St. Louis CITY SC. Kickoff will take place at 7:30 p.m. PT and will be broadcast globally via MLS Season Pass on Apple TV (English/Spanish), as well as via local radio on 107.7 FM The Bone (English) and KZSF 1370 AM La Kaliente (Spanish).
GAME NOTES
Tonight’s crowd of 50,978 broke the Earthquakes’ all-time standalone record of 50,850, set on June 29, 2019, when San Jose beat the LA Galaxy 3-0 at Stanford Stadium. With the most recent Cali Clasico on June 28 against the Galaxy drawing 42,881 fans at Stanford as well, the Quakes hosted two of the eight highest-attended regular-season matches in all MLS this season—and the only two games on that list west of the Mississippi River.
TOP 10 LARGEST STANDALONE HOME ATTENDANCES IN EARTHQUAKES HISTORY*^
1) 50,978 – Quakes vs. LAFC at Levi’s® Stadium, Sept. 13, 2025
2) 50,850 – Quakes vs. LA Galaxy at Stanford Stadium, June 29, 2019
3) 50,816 – Quakes vs. LA Galaxy at Stanford Stadium, June 25, 2016
4) 50,743 – Quakes vs. LA Galaxy at Stanford Stadium, June 30, 2018
5) 50,675 – Quakes vs. Chivas de Guadalajara at Levi’s® Stadium, July 27, 2024
6) 50,617 – Quakes vs. LA Galaxy at Stanford Stadium, July 1, 2017
7) 50,422 – Quakes vs. LA Galaxy at Stanford Stadium, June 27, 2015
8) 50,391 – Quakes vs. LA Galaxy at Stanford Stadium, June 30, 2012
9) 50,028 – Quakes vs. LA Galaxy at Stanford Stadium, June 29, 2013
10) 50,006 – Quakes vs. LA Galaxy at Stanford Stadium, June 28, 2014
TOP 10 LARGEST HOME ATTENDANCES IN 2025 MLS REGULAR SEASON TO DATE
1) 65,520 – Atlanta United FC vs. CF Montreal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Feb. 22
2) 62,358 – Chicago Fire FC vs. Inter Miami CF at Soldier Field, April 13
3) 60,614 – Columbus Crew vs. Inter Miami CF at Huntington Bank Field, April 19
4) 60,005 – Atlanta United FC vs. Charlotte FC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, July 19
5) 51,002 – Charlotte FC vs. Atlanta United FC at Bank of America Stadium, March 1
6) 50,978 – Quakes vs. LAFC at Levi’s® Stadium, Sept. 13
7) 43,293 – New England Revolution vs. Inter Miami CF at Gillette Stadium, July 9
8) 42,881 – Quakes vs. LA Galaxy at Stanford Stadium, June 28
9) 42,844 – Atlanta United FC vs. Inter Miami CF at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, March 16
10) 42,562 – Atlanta United FC vs. New York Red Bulls at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, March 8
*The Quakes drew 73,123 fans for a regular-season game vs. D.C. United on July 4, 1999, at Stanford Stadium as the first game of a doubleheader with the U.S. Women’s National Team and Brazil during the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
^The Quakes drew 61,572 fans for a regular-season game vs. the Columbus Crew on June 25, 2009, at Candlestick Park as the first game of a doubleheader with FC Barcelona and Chivas de Guadalajara.
With the result, San Jose still occupies the ninth and final playoff spot in the MLS Western Conference with 35 points (9-13-8). Meanwhile LAFC is fifth with 44 points (12-7-8).
The Quakes are now 7-12-1 (31 GF, 51 GA) against LAFC in MLS regular-season play with a 6-3-0 (19 GF, 19 GA) record at home.
Preston Judd’s 18th-minute goal was his seventh of the season in MLS play and 11th of his career.
Chicho Arango’s 18th-minute assist was his seventh of the season in MLS play and 28th of his career. He increased his tally to five goal contributions (2g/3a) in just four meetings with LAFC.
The Quakes snapped a six-game unbeaten streak in all competitions at Levi’s® Stadium tonight (4-0-2).
San Jose Earthquakes 2 – 4 Los Angeles Football Club
Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025 — Levi’s® Stadium; Santa Clara, California
Weather: 69°F Sunny
Attendance: 50,978 (new club standalone record)
*all stats unofficial
Match Officials:
Referee: Rubiel Vazquez
AR1: Gerard-Kader Lebuis
AR2: Kevin Lock
4th Official: Malik Badawi
VAR: David Barrie
AVAR: Joshua Patlak
Scoring Summary:
LAFC (0-1) – Heung Min Son (Artem Smoliakov, Marky Delgado ) 1’
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: Daniel (GK); Dave Romney, Daniel Munie, Vítor Costa (Jamar Ricketts 81’), Ronaldo Vieira, Rodrigues (Benji Kikanović 60’); Ian Harkes (Noel Buck 81’), Beau Leroux (Ousseni Bouda 60’); Chicho Arango, Cristian Espinoza, Preston Judd (Josef Martínez 66’).
Substitutes not used: Earl Edwards Jr. (GK); Max Floriani, Mark-Anthony Kaye, Bruno Wilson.
LOS ANGELES FOOTBALL CLUB: Hugo Lloris (GK); Ryan Porteous, Nkosi Tafari, Artem Smoliakov (Ryan Hollingshead 72’), Sergi Palencia; Eddie Segura, Mark Delgado (Frankie Amaya 86’), Mathieu Choiniere; Denis Bouanga, Timothy Tillman (Andrew Moran 72’), Heung Min Son (David Martinez 79’).
Substitutes not used: Thomas Hasal (GK), Kenneth Nielsen, Ryan Raposo, Adrian Wilbowo, Yaw Yeboah.
“I think the crowd tonight shows what a great area this is for soccer in this country. It’s going to be a great venue for the World Cup, and I thank our soccer community for coming out and supporting us tonight. I wish we could have put on a better show, but I think LAFC did. Give them a lot of credit, but a crowd like this is nothing but positive for our franchise and the league.”
On preparing for the remaining four games to make a playoff push:
“I’m preparing a team to try to win these last four games. If we come out the way we did tonight, we’re not going to win any of them. So hopefully, I’d like to say we can learn something from this, but this has been a bit of a broken record this year, some of the mistakes we’ve made.”
On LAFC scoring three goals in 12 minutes:
“I have to accept the responsibility that we have two of our better players in [Chicho] Arango and [Cristian] Espinoza turning the ball over right in the opening minute of the game that helped create their goal. We have to be better to start a game. They’re veteran players and they have to be a little bit sharper. You got to give the opponent credit, to turn that into a goal. But poor playing on our part, and having a team step on the field and play the way we did in the open minutes of the games, it’s on me. I’m quite surprised at the way we stepped on the field in the opening minutes of the game.”
On coming into the second half of the game:
“There’s a lot of ways to look at it. If you’re the other team in the locker room at halftime, you basically have the game won, and you can play pretty smart and conservative in the second half and don’t open yourselves up. I don’t give us that many pats on the back for being maybe in control of the game in the second half, because the only way they decide winners in this game from all my years of being involved is the scoreboard. We won all the other categories, but I don’t know if we get any prizes for that. LAFC played a smart second half. We needed to get the second goal to really scare them a little bit, and we weren’t able to do that.”
EARTHQUAKES MIDFIELDER IAN HARKES
On playing in front of a club-record breaking crowd at Levi’s Stadium:
“It’s incredible to see. It’s my first time playing at Levi’s. Talking to the players before, they always said it was a special game. I just think we wanted to reward the fans that came out. We’re sorry that we didn’t today. We were disappointed with ourselves, and they had a great showing. Just want to say thank you to everyone that did come out, and hopefully they stick with us, because we have to push for these next four games. We still believe, and we can’t give up. We can’t let this carry over into the last four games.”
“It was a great atmosphere. We were so happy for all the fans to come out and for us to play in there, obviously that kind of scoreline deflates it right away for the players. We really shot ourselves in the foot from the start.”
On tonight’s formation change against LAFC to go with a back line of four defenders:
“We haven’t played a back four for a long time, but we had a whole week to work on it. I think we felt pretty good, and we wanted to isolate Rodrigues, because he played really well against [Denis] Bouanga the first time when we went away against LAFC. The way they shaped up was a little different, and he didn’t receive the ball too much in the touchline. They were running behind a lot. I think we were a little naïve in the way we approached that and didn’t really change.”
On the team’s mentality tonight as they push for a spot in the playoffs:
“Everyone wanted to push and get back into it. Cristian [Espinoza’s] work rate is relentless. He always finds assists and balls into the box. Give Preston [Judd] a lot of credit. Throughout this whole season, he’s shown up in big moments in terms of stealing points for us and also getting game winning goals and everything like that. We always knew that he was going to be lurking, and we’re happy that he got the goal back, and unfortunately, just couldn’t get that next one at the right time.”
“I think we all have good qualities to play off of each other. I think it was working well, besides the goals. I know that’s stupid to say, but we did control a lot of the game. … I wish the scoreline was different from the start, because I think we controlled a lot. We’re just going to continue to keep working on those relationships, and we can play a lot of different formations based off of our different qualities.”
