Marcus Ingvartsen and Andres Dreyer both scored after the 80th minute as visiting San Diego FC rallied to what could be a crucial 2-1 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes on Sunday.
Ingvartsen also assisted on Dreyer’s 13th goal of the season in the 84th minute, one that sealed a victory that vaulted San Diego (16-7-4, 52 points) into the top of the Supporters’ Shield standings — above Cincinnati on the second tiebreak of their superior plus-19 goal differential.
It also secured a sixth consecutive road victory for San Diego, which, in its Shield chase, could become the first MLS expansion team to win major silverware since Seattle won the 2009 U.S. Open Cup.
Ingvartsen’s 81st-minute header came in his first appearance in more than two months and only his seventh overall in the league during an injury-riddled season.
It cancelled out Josef Martinez’s 12th goal of the season for San Jose (8-11-8, 32 points), created by a bad turnover from San Diego goalkeeper C.J. dos Santos.
Martinez took sole possession of his team’s scoring lead in a defeat that leaves the Quakes ninth in the West standings. His 12-goal total is his highest since scoring 12 times in 2021.
While Martinez’s 72nd-minute score was the result of a San Diego mistake — created by pressure from Noel Buck — San Jose had been the better side to that point.
But the visitors suddenly appeared to find another level after falling behind.
Ingvartsen was a big part of that after his 64th-minute entrance. And after Franco Negri provided an excellent cross with the outside of his left boot, Ingvartsen met it with a powerful header that left Quakes goalkeeper Daniel rooted to his line.
Three minutes later, the Quakes were caught with too many numbers forward as they looked to wrestle back the lead.
Ingvartsen played a half-volleyed pass forward to Dreyer, who remained onside by beginning his run in his own half until the pass was played while racing behind San Jose’s back line.
On the run, Dreyer sent a low, composed finish past Daniel and inside the far-left post for his 30th goal contribution of an MVP-worthy season.
–Field Level Media
