San Jose Earthquakes 2-2 LAFC

Reid Roberts struck in the eighth minute of stoppage time as the San Jose Earthquakes salvaged a dramatic 2-2 Major League Soccer draw with LAFC at Levi’s Stadium on Saturday night.

LAFC appeared set to leave Santa Clara with a hugely resilient victory despite playing more than an hour with 10 men. Son Heung-Min opened the scoring in the 34th minute, before Aaron Long was sent off two minutes later. Denis Bouanga then doubled the visitors’ advantage in the 53rd minute, but San Jose’s territorial dominance eventually told.

The Earthquakes controlled 68.9 per cent of possession, piled up 21 shots and won 15 corners, yet they had to wait until the final 20 minutes to turn that pressure into goals. Preston Judd started the recovery with a header in the 70th minute, and Roberts supplied the final twist at 90’+8′ to send the home support into celebration.

LAFC lead, then lose their defensive anchor

The visitors were clinical in a first half in which they had little of the ball. Son Heung-Min put LAFC ahead in the 34th minute, making the most of one of their rare attacking openings to give the Black and Gold a 1-0 interval lead.

But the complexion of the match changed sharply in the 36th minute when Long received a red card. LAFC were forced into a long defensive shift, though they briefly seemed capable of making it count for three points when Bouanga found the net in the 53rd minute to establish a 2-0 cushion.

San Jose’s pressure finally pays off

With LAFC protecting their box, San Jose kept feeding attacks into the final third. Judd’s 70th-minute header gave the Earthquakes a lifeline and set up a frantic closing spell, with the hosts continuing to force the issue from wide areas and set pieces.

The equaliser arrived deep into added time. Roberts scored at 90’+8′, ensuring San Jose earned a draw that reflected their sustained control of the pitch and attacking volume. LAFC, who recorded only three total shots and two on target, will be disappointed to have let a two-goal lead slip but can point to the difficult task of defending with 10 players for 54 minutes.

San Jose, now 12-6-8, next host the Portland Timbers on Saturday, September 26. LAFC, now 11-8-8, travel to face FC Dallas later that same day.

Goals

  • LAFC: Son Heung-Min, 34′
  • LAFC: Denis Bouanga, 53′
  • San Jose Earthquakes: Preston Judd, 70′
  • San Jose Earthquakes: Reid Roberts, 90’+8′