Portland Timbers x San Jose Earthquakes

Providence Park was rocking and roaring as the Portland Timbers and San Jose Earthquakes battled to a wild 1 to 1 draw filled with drama, grit, and a gut-punch of a finish.

The first half was a cagey chess match, but things exploded after the break. Just seven minutes into the second half, San Jose went down to ten men when Ian Harkes picked up his second yellow card. With the visitors shorthanded, Portland pounced. In the 71st minute, Juan Mosquera charged into the box, linked up beautifully with Felipe Mora, and rifled home his first goal of the season. The stadium erupted and the Timbers looked poised to seal the win while stretching their home unbeaten streak to nine games.

But San Jose wasn’t finished.

Cristian Espinoza nearly curled in a corner kick straight into the net in the 77th minute, but the post had other plans. Still, the Earthquakes kept the pressure on. Then, in the dying seconds of stoppage time, Preston Judd played the hero. Ousseni Bouda’s shot was parried and Judd was there to clean it up, slotting home the equalizer and silencing the crowd.

It was a heartbreaker for Portland and a massive show of resilience from San Jose. Down a man and on the ropes, they clawed their way to a point with sheer will and determination.

Final score Portland Timbers 1 San Jose Earthquakes 1
Mosquera’s firestarter was nearly enough
Judd’s late heroics stole the spotlight at the death.

[Photography by Hector Mendoza]