Full Breakdown
San Jose Earthquakes Miss Playoffs Despite Victory on Decision Day
10/19/2025, 1:12:21 PM
Final Match Overview
On October 18, 2025, the San Jose Earthquakes secured a 2-1 victory against Austin FC in their final match of the Major League Soccer (MLS) regular season. Despite this win, the Earthquakes finished 10th in the Western Conference with a record of 11 wins, 15 losses, and 8 draws, ultimately missing the playoffs. The Earthquakes needed not only a win but also favorable outcomes in other matches to qualify for the postseason.
Match Highlights
The Earthquakes fell behind early when Austin FC's Owen Wolff scored in the 22nd minute. However, San Jose equalized in the 75th minute with a header from Josef Martínez, followed by Niko Tsakiris scoring his first career MLS goal just two minutes later, securing the win. The Earthquakes dominated the match statistically, outshooting Austin 26-4 and maintaining over 60% possession.
Coach's Assessment
Bruce Arena, in his first season as head coach, acknowledged the team's progress compared to the previous year, where they finished last in the conference. He noted, “We blew too many games this year, wasted too many points, and put ourselves in a position that made it difficult.” Arena emphasized the need for roster improvements and better consistency moving forward, stating, “We’re trying to build the organization into a winning organization.”
Playoff Scenarios and Outcomes
Heading into Decision Day, the Earthquakes required a win and specific results from other matches to secure a playoff spot. They needed losses from both FC Dallas and Real Salt Lake, but those teams managed to secure their positions, leaving San Jose out of the postseason. The Earthquakes' playoff hopes were dashed as they watched the final moments of the RSL-St. Louis match, which confirmed their elimination.
Player Perspectives
Niko Tsakiris reflected on the bittersweet nature of the match, expressing pride in his first goal while acknowledging the disappointment of missing the playoffs. “Obviously we fell short of what we wanted,” he stated. Martínez, who was a key addition to the team, finished the season with 14 goals, contributing significantly to the Earthquakes' offensive output.
Future Outlook
Looking ahead, Arena indicated that the team would focus on improving its roster during the offseason, especially given the constraints posed by the club's ownership situation. He mentioned recent upgrades to training facilities and the need to surround key players with more talent to enhance competitiveness in the league.
Conclusion
While the San Jose Earthquakes demonstrated improvement in their performance this season, the failure to qualify for the playoffs remains a point of contention. The team will need to address its inconsistencies and bolster its roster to achieve its goal of becoming a playoff contender in the future.
