San Jose Earthquakes players Niko Tsakiris, Ousseni Bouda and Roanldo Vieira celebrate after their 4-2 win over Minnesota United in the Round of 16 of the U.S. Open Cup at PayPal Park on Tuesday APR 28, 2026. (San Jose Earthquakes)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE–The San Jose Earthquakes scored three goals after the 68th minute to defeat Minnesota United FC 4-2 in the Round of 16 of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday evening at PayPal Park.

San Jose advanced to the quarterfinals of the tournament in back-to-back seasons. Minnesota United bowed out of the tournament after defeating the Sacramento Republic in the Round of 32. San Jose went know its next opponent until Thursday when the remaining eight teams will be drawn at random.

San Jose drew first blood in the 15th minute. Midfielder Beau Leroux received the ball inside the box. Leroux made a move to go around Owen Gene before blasting a right-footed shot past United goalkeeper Drake Callender into the far upper corner of the net for his first goal of the tournament and second overall in all competitions.

Minnesota United had a golden scoring chance to even the match just before the 20th minute when Anthony Markanich was alone inside from six feet, but his point-blank attempt was stoned away by Quakes goalkeeper Daniel.

Fernando Romero thought he even the score in the 31st when he tapped home a cross into the middle of the box all alone, but he was ruled offside by the sideline official.

Quakes superstar striker Timo Werner was subbed out of the match in the 35th minute by head coach Bruce Arena after apparently suffering a lower body injury and was replaced by Jack Skahan.

Minnesota United scored the equalizer in the 59th minute. Markanich centered a ball into the ball when Quakes captain Ronaldo Vieira knocked the ball into his own bet for an own goal.

Minnesota gained its first lead in the 63rd minute thanks to a brilliant individual effort by Tomás Chancalay. The United striker danced around a Quakes defender before depositing the ball past Daniel into the upper left corner of the net.

San Jose made it a tied game three minutes later on a counterattack. Skahan recovered the ball out of the air just outside the box. Skahan’s shot deflected off the foot of Devin Padelford and into the back of the net for his first goal of the tournament in the 68th minute.

The Earthquakes regained the lead in the 73rd minute. Skahan crossed the ball into the middle of the box where Leroux buried a one-timer past Callender to record his first ever brace in U.S. Open Cup play.

Niko Tsakiris made it 4-2 when he finished a two-on-zero odd man rush with Ousseni Bouda in the 76th minute. Bouda won the ball of off a battle with a United defender and then was able to get Callender to commit up front before sliding the ball over to Tsakiris for the easy tap into the empty net.

Daniel made three saves on five shots to earn the victory. Callender made one save on five shots on target in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished with nine corner kicks. Minnesota United had eight.

Leroux was named The Man of The Match.