It was an early season top of table clash for LAFC tonight as they welcomed second-placed San Jose Earthquakes. Riding the best season start in club history, the Quakes looked to pull off the upset over Los Angeles in BMO, where they haven’t won in over five years. LAFC were fresh off their Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals win over Cruz Azul, and aiming to return to dominant form in domestic action.
The Starting XI for #LAFCvSJ#LAFC | @BMO_US pic.twitter.com/4c2RFbw4YR
— LAFC (@LAFC) April 19, 2026
The first 20 minutes of the match saw both sides find a couple of looks at goal, with San Jose getting closer to finding the opener. They were doing well to find space, create opportunities, and get some looks at goal as they were pushing hard to find the scoresheet first on the night. For every chance Earthquakes had, LAFC were there with an answer to keep them out of goal, and were even able to find a few chances of their own throughout the first half. The last 15 minutes momentum shifted and LAFC were the aggressors, putting pressure on the visitors but with only one shot on goal in the first half, it was hard for them to find an opening goal of their own.
The first half came to a close and as we talked about in our preview, it was a half that saw both sides try, but fail to breakdown each other’s defense. A true battle at the back, but that isn’t surprising considering these are two sides that have conceded the fewest goals so far this season. The second half started the same way the first half ended, with LAFC putting the pressure on early. Looks from Bouanga and Son in the opening five minutes of he half nearly saw them take the lead, but great goalkeeping kept them out, for now.
After weathering the storm, the Quakes went on the attack and in the 53rd minute, some slick passing ended with a shot from the far post that saw Ousseni Bouda become the first MLS player to get past Hugo Lloris for a goal this season, giving the visitors the lead in the second half.
Timo Werner finds Ousseni Bouda for the opening strike! 💪 pic.twitter.com/uB7RbaqfJI
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 20, 2026
Apparently, all San Jose needed was to see the ball hit the back of the net because in the following minutes they proceeded to completely turn this match on its head. Just minutes after finding the opener, Timo Werner cut through the Los Angeles defense, feinted a pass but decided to take it himself and with one swift kick, doubled the lead and opened his MLS account all in one strike.
Timo Werner opens his MLS account! 💥 pic.twitter.com/5N3zIe8LED
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 20, 2026
Smelling blood in water, San Jose didn’t let up. They pushed and pressured even harder after finding success and just minutes later, they had once again peppered the goal with shots until one chance deflected off LAFC defender Ryan Porteous, sneaking through the legs of Hugo Lloris for yet another goal, this one ruled an Own Goal. In the span of just six minutes, San Jose went from backs against the wall, to holding a three goal lead, leaving BMO in disbelief.
Own Goal wasn’t done in this match. In the 74th minute, Denis Bouanga took on the defense, and put a great ball into the box that deflected off San Jose defender Reid Roberts, sneaking past his goalkeeper and into the back of the net to pull one back for LAFC.
Denis sends it across and forces the own goal. https://t.co/NjB9PE2jjE pic.twitter.com/GrW5zBFjsc
— LAFC (@LAFC) April 20, 2026
Just when it looked like LAFC were set to fight their way back in this match, San Jose slammed the door shut with a fourth goal in the 80th minute. Finding open space in the build-up, a great ball found a wide open Bouada who once again took the shot on himself, this time catching Hugo Lloris leaning just a bit too much before firing it near post to send it into the back of the net for his brace, and for the moment, putting this one out of reach.
Bouda brace! ✌️
San Jose lead 4-1 at LAFC. pic.twitter.com/EpZmpCBsE0
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 20, 2026
The fourth goal for San Jose would be the last of the night for either side. In a stunning turn of events not only did LAFC concede four, but they got hit in the mouth, at home, for the first time in recent memory. After six matches and 50 minutes of excellent defensive work from the LA starters, it all fell apart in the span of six minutes and the black & gold were unable to recover from the flurry of blows. This loss makes it back-to-back losses in the MLS for the first time this season. Now, the team must turn their focus to Colorado Rapids who, luckily, come to Los Angeles in just a few days, so they wont have to stew on this loss for too long before having another chance to right the ship.
Thoughts on the loss at home for LAFC? Leave a comment for us below!