SAN JOSE — Preston Judd and Eduard Löwen provided all of the scoring as the streaking San Jose Earthquakes beat the Portland Timbers 3-1 at PayPal Park on Saturday night.
Judd scored a pair of goals, both assisted by Löwen, who scored his first goal of the season as San Jose extended its unbeaten streak to six MLS matches while moving into third place in the Western Conference.”
“We’re starting to turn things around, but I think the important message is that none of that matters,” said Judd. “What matters is the next game. Everything we’ve done this season is great, but it’s always about the next game and each game going forward. Like I keep saying, the goal is to get to the playoffs.”
Judd’s second goal of the night in the 29th minute gave San Jose a 3-0 lead and gave the 27-year-old forward his team-leading 15th goal of the season, good for sixth-most in the league.
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 26: Preston Judd #19 of the San Jose Earthquakes fires the siren as he celebrates scoring with fans during the first half against the Portland Timbers at PayPal Park on September 26, 2026 in San Jose, California.
Judd, who wasn’t happy with his celebration after his first goal, went wild after his second score. A bit too wild. He jumped into the stands and fired the stadium’s siren. His exuberance earned a yellow card.
“The celebration wasn’t planned at all. I just knew my first celebration wasn’t up to my standard, so I had to match it with the second one,” said Judd. “It worked out. I mean, I got a yellow card for it, so that kind of sucked, but it was a pretty cool celebration.”
Quakes coach Bruce Arena thought getting their lead to 3-0 was very important Saturday.
“The third goal was really important, so that we’re not relaxing after the second goal, and getting the third one was probably the difference in the game tonight,” Arena said.
Saturday night’s win marked San Jose’s first victory by multiple goals in four months. The Quakes’ last multi-goal win was also against the Timbers on May 23 in Portland.
San Jose opened the scoring in the fourth minute when Löwen’s cross from the right wing was headed by Judd past Timbers goalkeeper James Pantemis for his team-leading 14th goal and a 1-0 Earthquakes lead.
The Quakes doubled their advantage in minute 24 when Timo Werner laid a ball off for Beau Leroux and the midfielder dribbled forward into the box before pushing a short through ball for Löwen in the left-edge of the six-yard box. Löwen subsequently blasted it for the near post over Pantemis’ right shoulder to make it 2-0.
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 26: Eduard Lowen #23 of the San Jose Earthquakes celebrates scoring with teammate Beau Leroux #34 during the first half against the Portland Timbers at PayPal Park on September 26, 2026 in San Jose, California.
San Jose tripled the score in the 29th minute when Paul Marie controlled the ball in the box in the right half-space. He cut back and flicked a cross for Judd, who volleyed it in from the center edge of the six-yard box to make it 3-0 before halftime.
David Da Costa pulled one back for Portland in the 86th minute when he took in a through ball from Eric Izoita and fired from close range into the back of the net for the final 3-1 margin.
Earl Edwards Jr. made his second start this season, his his first since April 25, had a career-high seven saves for San Jose (13-8-6). With 45 points, the Quakes moved past Houston Dynamo FC (13-9-5, 44 points) and into third place. San Jose is now just two points behind second-place FC Dallas.
Up next
The Quakes head to the international break and won’t be back in action until Oct. 10, when they travel to Colorado to face the Rapids.