The Starting XI for the San Jose Earthquakes pose for the media before their match against LAFC at Levi’s Stadium on Saturday SEP 19, 2026. (San Jose Earthquakes)

by Marko Ukalovic

SANTA CLARA — Reid Roberts’ instinct kicked in when his team needed it at the right moment.

Reid scored his third goal of the season in the eighth minute of stoppage time to help salvage a point for the San Jose Earthquakes in a 2-2 draw with LAFC on Saturday evening at Levi’s Stadium.

San Jose have earned a point in five straight matches. LAFC has earn a point in five of their past six matches.

San Jose (12-8-6-42 points) had the match’s first quality scoring chance in the 13th minute. Eduard Lowen found Beau Leroux near the top of the box. Leroux sent a ball into the middle where Nico Tsakiris got a touch on the ball but couldn’t control the possession as LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris scooped up the ball after it hit Tsakiris.

LAFC (11-8-8-41 points) dangerous, dynamic duo attack of Son Heung-Min and Denis Bouanga created chances in the 14th and 15th minutes. Heung-Min’s shot attempt was blocked and then a minute later Bouanga shot was saved by Quakes goalkeeper Angus Gunn.

LAFC broke through with the match’s first goal in the 34th minute. Hueng-Min had a brilliant individual effort after receiving the ball just past the midfield circle. Hueng-Min dribbled down the pitch 20 yards before turning back into the middle as he fired a low shot just inside the left post past Gunn for his sixth goal of the season.

Two minutes later San Jose countered when Leroux sent a ball into the middle of box. Tsakiris got behind LAFC defender Aaron Long who pulled the arm of Tsakiris just outside the box prevents a possible breakaway chance. Referee Drew Fischer deemed the play a denial of a scoring chance resulting in a red card for Long and an automatic ejection.

San Jose had chances in the final five minutes of the first half but weren’t able to get a ball past Lloris.

LAFC doubled its lead in the 53rd minute thanks to a misplay by San Jose. Mark Delgado sent a long ball out to Hueng-Min who raced down the to the opposite end of the pitch. Hueng-Min crossed the ball over to Bouanga who one-timed the ball into the back of the net for his team leading 14th goal of the season.

The Earthquakes cut LAFC’s lead in half when Bruce Arena’s substitutes came in an injected life into San Jose. Timo Werner centered a ball into the middle of the box where Preston Judd’s header blew past Lloris for his team leading 13th goal of the season in the 70th minute. Tskiris received the secondary assist on the play.

Hueng-Min thought he had his second goal of the match in the 73rd minute when his shot deflected off of Reid Roberts’ leg inside the box, but VAR had a foul on Sergi Palencia before the goal happened wiping out what would have been the insurance goal for the team a man down.

Lloris played out of his mind as he finished with seven saves on nine shots on target, including some point-blank chances by San Jose. Gunn made one save on three shots.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished with 17 corner kicks. LAFC had three.

UP NEXT: San Jose hosts the Portland Timbers on Saturday September 26 at 7:30pm at PayPal Park.