SAN JOSE, Calif. — San Jose Earthquakes defender Benji Kikanović been named to Major League Soccer’s Team of the Matchday for Matchday 34. Kikanović’s 17th-minute goal proved to be the game-winner in a 2-1 triumph over Real Salt Lake in the Earthquakes’ last regular-season home game. The crucial victory lifted San Jose to third in the Western Conference with one match remaining before the Quakes compete in the Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Leading 1-0, the Quakes doubled their advantage in minute 17 when Niko Tsakiris charged down the left wing and flicked a cross in the box for Preston Judd, who deflected it back to a streaking Jamar Ricketts on the left edge of the 18-yard box near the goal line. Ricketts crossed it back into the box for a sliding Kikanović who poked it into the back of the net for his first goal of the season to make it 2-0.
This is Kikanović’s first selection to Team of the Matchday this season and the second of his career. A whopping 18 different Earthquakes have been named to the TOTM at least once in 2026.
The full “Quakes Replay” of tonight’s match is scheduled to air this weekend on KTVU Plus on Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 8 p.m. PT. For highlights, analysis and features, fans can also watch the new half-hour magazine show “Quakes Exclusive,” which will next air on Friday, Nov. 13, on KTVU Plus at 8 p.m. PT and on KTVU FOX 2 on 8:30 p.m. PT.
The Black and Blue play their last regular-season game before the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs on the road against Minnesota United FC on Saturday, Nov. 7. Kickoff from Allianz Field is slated for 4 p.m. PT with the match to be broadcast on Apple TV (English/Spanish), as well as via local radio on KSFO 810 AM (English) and La Kaliente 1370 AM (Spanish).
The top-four finishers in each conference will enjoy home-field advantage in the Round One Best-of-3 Series and will host both Game One and Game Three (if necessary). The bottom four will host Game Two. San Jose is currently third in the West with one regular-season match remaining on Saturday and would clinch a top-four spot with a win, draw or loss by seven goals or fewer.
MLS TEAM OF THE MATCHDAY (MATCHDAY 34)
Forwards: Robert Lewandowski (CHI), Brian White (VAN), Vincent Janssen (POR)
Midfielders: Ryan Gauld (VAN), Joaquín Pereyra (MIN), Marco Reus (LA), Lionel Messi (MIA)
Defenders: Henry Kessler (CLT), Sean Zawadzki (CLB), Benji Kikanović (SJ)
Goalkeeper: Kristijan Kahlina (CLT)
Coach: B.J. Callaghan (NSH)
Bench: Pablo Sisniega (SD), Mathías Laborda (VAN), Harbor Miller (LA), Cherrion Valerius (MIN), Dylan Chambost (CLB), Miguel Almirón (ATL), David Da Costa (POR), Cristian Espinoza (NSH), Jonathan Bamba (CHI)