10/31/2026 06:17:00
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10/31 18:12 CDT Ousseni Bouda has early goal and assist to lead Earthquakes to
2-1 victory over Real Salt Lake
Ousseni Bouda has early goal and assist to lead Earthquakes to 2-1 victory over
Real Salt Lake
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) --- Ousseni Bouda had a goal and an assist in the first
17 minutes and the San Jose Earthquakes held on to beat Real Salt Lake 2-1 on
Saturday.
San Jose (14-9-10) moved up two spots to third place in the Western Conference
with one match remaining in the regular season. The top four teams in each
conference earn home-field advantage for the best-of-3 first round.
The Earthquakes jumped in front in the 2nd minute on an unassisted goal by
Bouda off a free kick. Seven of Bouda's 12 career goals over 102 appearances
have come this season in 32 matches.
Bouda and Preston Judd set up defender Benji Kikanovic for his first netter
since 2024 and the Earthquakes took a two-goal lead in the 17th minute. Four of
Bouda's five career assists have come this season. Judd notched his career-high
third to go with a career-best and team-high 16 goals.
Real Salt Lake cut it to 2-1 in the 23rd minute on a goal by first-year
defender Juan Manuel Sanabria --- his second. Defender Sam Junqua earned his
career-best third assist and Saba Lobjanidze collected his fifth in his first
season with the club after making 85 appearances for Atlanta United over four
seasons.
Earl Edwards Jr. finished with three saves in his third start this season for
San Jose, which improves to 7-5-5 at home.
Rafael Cabral stopped three shots for Real Salt Lake (12-15-6) --- now 3-11-3
on the road.
The loss, coupled with the Los Angeles Galaxy's 4-1 victory over Austin FC,
knocks Real Salt Lake out of a playoff spot heading to Decision Day.
Six teams began the day vying for the final three berths.
Up next
Salt Lake: Hosts Los Angeles FC to close out the regular season on Saturday.
San Jose: At Minnesota United on Saturday to finish the regular season.
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