Niko Tsakiris scored his second and third goals in Major League Soccer as the San Jose Earthquakes defeated San Diego FC 3-0 on Saturday night. This victory marks the Earthquakes’ best start in club history.
Preston Judd added a goal and an assist, bringing his season total to three goals as San Jose (5-1-0, 15 points) matched their largest margin of victory this season.
Goalkeeper Daniel recorded his fifth clean sheet, making just one save, while San Diego (3-1-2, 11 points) struggled to create scoring chances after defender Manu Duah was sent off in the 32nd minute.
This is the second consecutive red card for San Diego, as Christopher McVey also received a red in a previous match against Real Salt Lake on March 22.
San Diego was shut out for the first time in eight regular-season matches, a streak that goes back to their 1-0 loss to San Jose last September.
Tsakiris opened the scoring after Judd intercepted a poor back-pass from Lewis Morgan. Judd passed to Tsakiris, who scored with a powerful shot into the top corner.
The game’s dynamics shifted when Judd was fouled by Duah, who received a red card after a video review deemed it a denial of a clear goal-scoring chance.
Tsakiris converted the penalty, giving San Jose a strong lead. Judd then extended the advantage in first-half stoppage time, finishing from close range after a low cross from Beau Leroux.
Ferree, the San Diego goalkeeper, made seven saves as San Jose launched 24 shots at goal.