San Diego FC Stuns San Jose with Late Comeback
San Jose Earthquakes vs San Diego FC Pre-Game (Photo by Jose Martinez)
Final Score: San Diego FC 2 – 1 San Jose Earthquakes
Date: Sunday, August 17, 2025
Venue: PayPal Park, San Jose, CA
First Half: Quakes Control but No Finish
The opening half belonged to San Jose, who pushed the tempo and created the majority of chances. They outshot San Diego heavily but couldn’t find a way past goalkeeper CJ Dos Santos. Despite the pressure, both sides went into the break scoreless.
Christian Espinoza setting up for a free kick (Photo by Jose Martinez)
Second Half: Martínez Strikes First
San Jose finally got rewarded in the 72nd minute. After a high press forced a mistake from Dos Santos, substitute Noel Buck disrupted the play, and the loose ball fell to Josef Martínez. The veteran striker calmly dribbled past a defender and slotted home to give the Quakes a 1–0 lead.
SDFC GOAL CELEBRATION (Photo by Jose Martinez)
San Diego Responds with Two Quick Goals
The visitors didn’t stay behind for long. In the 81st minute, Marcus Ingvartsen, making his return from injury, rose above the defense to head in a perfect cross from Franco Negri, leveling the match.
Just three minutes later, San Diego completed the turnaround. Anders Dreyer sprinted onto a through ball from Ingvartsen and finished clinically into the corner, silencing the home crowd and putting San Diego ahead 2–1.
Luca de la Torre pushing tempo late in the game (Photo by Jose Martinez)
Key Performances
Josef Martínez scored his 12th goal of the season and the 128th of his MLS career, moving up the league’s all-time scoring charts.
Cristian Espinoza continued his playmaking role, creating three key chances and boosting his season assist tally.
San Diego’s attack, led by Ingvartsen and Dreyer, showed its sharpness by making the most of limited opportunities.
Bigger Picture
This was the first-ever MLS meeting between the Earthquakes and San Diego FC, and it ended in dramatic fashion. The win extended San Diego’s remarkable six-match road winning streak, keeping them on top of the Western Conference and Supporters’ Shield race.
For San Jose, the loss was a tough blow after a strong start. They sit in ninth place, still in the playoff mix, but must learn how to close out games when leading late.
Espinoza battling for possession. (Photo by Jose Martinez)
Off the Pitch
The night also featured Autism Awareness Night, with special tributes and community events, highlighted by the ceremonial First Kick involving head coach Bruce Arena’s family.
Final Whistle
San Jose looked to be in control after Martínez’s strike, but San Diego’s late surge flipped the script. The comeback showed why San Diego FC has become one of the league’s toughest sides, while the Earthquakes were left ruing missed chances and a costly lapse in the closing minutes.
San Diego FC Starting XI. (Photo by Jose Martinez)