INDIO, Calif. — The San Jose Earthquakes shut out New York City FC 2-0 Saturday afternoon at the Empire Polo Club in their final preseason game at the 2026 Coachella Valley Invitational.Â
After a scoreless first half, both attacks awoke, with NYCFC threatening Daniel multiple times in the first 15 minutes. But the Brazilian goalkeeper and his back line refused to concede, and the match remained knotted 0-0. Finally, in minute 71, the Quakes achieved the breakthrough. Substitute Edwyn Mendoza stole the goalkeeper’s pass at the edge of the box and left a backheel for Niko Tsakiris, whose initial shot was parried away, but Ousseni Bouda was there to timely pounce on the rebound and give San Jose the 1-0 lead. The Black and Blue added an insurance goal when in the waning minutes, Bouda was fouled in the box and drew a penalty kick, which was promptly converted by the left-footed Niko Tsakiris in minute 87 to seal the victory and a perfect trip to Coachella (3-0-0).
The Quakes will now return home to commence the 2026 Major League Soccer regular season on Saturday, Feb. 21, at PayPal Park against Sporting Kansas City (7:30 p.m. PT), presented by Habbas Law. The season opener will air live globally on Apple TV and on local radio via KNBR 680 AM (English) and La Kaliente 1370 AM (Spanish). The only way to guarantee a seat to all 2026 Earthquakes home games is by purchasing season tickets. Single-game and group tickets for matches at PayPal Park are now available to the general public HERE.
The link to apply for single-game credentials for next Saturday’s season opener is now open HERE . The deadline is Wednesday, Feb. 25, at 7:30 p.m. PT, which is 72 hours before kickoff.
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MATCH INFORMATION
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2026 Preseason – Coachella Valley Invitational
San Jose Earthquakes 2 – 0 New York City FC        Â
Feb. 14, 2026 – Empire Polo Grounds – Indio, Calif.
Weather: 72°F Partly Cloudy
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Scoring Summary:
SJ (1-0) – Ousseni Bouda 71’ (unassisted)
SJ (2-0) – Niko Tsakiris 87’ (penalty kick)
Misconduct Summary:
None
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: Daniel (GK), DeJuan Jones (VÃtor Costa 63’), Reid Roberts, Daniel Munie, Benji Kikanović, Ronaldo Vieira (C), Jonathan González (Edwyn Mendoza 68’), Niko Tsakiris, Jamar Ricketts, Ousseni Bouda, Preston Judd (Jack Skahan 63’).
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NEW YORK CITY FC STARTING XI: Matt Freese (GK), Tayvon Gray, Maxi Moralez, Nico Fernandez, Agustin Ojeda, Aiden O’Neill, Kevin O’Toole, Raul Gustavo, Thiago Martins (C), Kai Trewin, Hannes Wolf.