The San Jose Earthquakes pose for a picture after their 1-1 draw with Nashville SC as the team celebrated clinching a playoff berth at PayPal Park on Saturday October 17, 2026. (San Jose Earthquakes)
By Marko Ukalovic
SAN JOSE — Preston Judd is having a career year and is getting hot at the right time for the San Jose Earthquakes.
Judd scored his 16th goal of the year as San Jose came back for a 1-1 draw with Nashville SC on Saturday evening at PayPal Park.
San Jose has earned a point in nine straight matches. Nashville SC has earned a point in six straight matches as they continue their pursuit for the Supporter’s Shield.
The Earthquakes clinched a spot in the 2026 MLS Playoffs thanks to draws by San Diego with the Los Angeles Galaxy and Colorado with Portland.
The match featured the return of former Earthquakes striker Cristian Espinoza, who signed with Nashville this past offseason after playing the past six seasons for San Jose.
San Jose (13-8-9-48 points) had two quality scoring chances in the first 20 minutes. In the eighth minute Jack Jasinki’s cross into the middle of the box was headed just over the top of the net by Preston Judd. Then in the 19th minute, Jamar Ricketts pass to Judd along the end line hit the side of the net as Judd flicked the ball just wide with a quick back kick.
Nashville (20-3-7-67 points) drew first blood in the 34th minute. Hany Mukhtar took advantage of a misplayed ball just outside the box. Mukhtar dribbled in and his first attempt was stopped by Quakes goalkeeper Angus Gunn. The rebound came right back to the veteran striker who buried it top shelf for his 16th goal of the season.
San Jose had chance to tie the match in the 66th minute when Ricketts once again found Judd inside the box, but Nashville goalkeeper Brian Schwake gobbled up the chance from just outside the left post.
The Earthquakes scored the equalizer in the 70th minute after a set piece. Eduard Lowen sent a free kick into the middle of the box from 30 yards out and Judd was in perfect position to head the ball beyond the outstretched reach of Schwake into the far corner of the net for his team leading 16th goal of the season.
Nashville had a chance to gain its second lead of the match in the 89th minute, but Elias Saad’s shot attempt just sailed wide right and out for a free kick for San Jose. Then in the first minute of stoppage time, Gunn made a kick save on another attempt by Saad inside the box.
Gunn finished the match with three saves on four shots. Schwake made two saves on three shots in earning the draw along with gun.
GAME NOTES: San Jose finished with four corner kicks. Nashville had zero.
UP NEXT: San Jose travels out the Lone Star State to take on FC Dallas on Saturday October 24 at 5:30pm at Toyota Stadium.
