SAN JOSE, Calif. — San Jose Earthquakes forward Preston Judd and Eduard Löwen have been named to Major League Soccer’s Team of the Matchday for Matchday 28. Judd's first-half brace and Löwen’s three goal contributions propelled San Jose to a 3-1 win over Portland last Saturday at PayPal Park as the Quakes extended their league unbeaten streak to six games and rose to third in the Western Conference race with seven games to play.Â
San Jose opened the scoring in the fourth minute when Löwen’s cross from the right wing was headed by Judd past Timbers goalkeeper James Pantemis for his team-leading 14th goal and a 1-0 Earthquakes lead. The Black and Blue doubled the advantage in minute 24 when Timo Werner laid a ball off for Beau Leroux and the midfielder dribbled forward into the box before pushing a short through ball for Löwen in the left edge of the six-yard box. Löwen subsequently blasted it for the near post over Pantemis’ right shoulder to score his first goal since joining San Jose to make it 2-0. San Jose tripled the score in the 29th minute when Paul Marie received the ball in the box in the right half-space from Löwen. Marie cut back and flicked a cross for Judd, who volleyed it in from the center edge of the six-yard box for his team-leading 15th goal to make it 3-0 before halftime—a lead the Quakes would not relinquish.
This is Judd's fourth selection to Team of the Matchday this season (Matchdays 6, 9 and 15) and eighth of his career. This is Löwen’s first TOTM selection of the season, as well as his first since joining San Jose last month and seventh overall of his career. The Earthquakes have placed at least one player on 19 of the 27 Teams of the Matchday so far this season (Matchdays 16 and 17 had one combined team).Â
The full “Quakes Replay” of last Saturday’s win is scheduled to air Wednesday, Sept. 30, at 8 p.m. PT on KTVU Plus. For highlights, analysis and features, fans can also watch the new half-hour magazine show “Quakes Exclusive,” which will next air on Friday, Oct. 2, on KTVU Plus at 8 p.m. PT and KTVU FOX 2 at 8:30 p.m. PT.Â
The Black and Blue now head into the international break before returning to MLS play on the road against the Colorado Rapids on Saturday, Oct. 10. Kickoff from DICK’s Sporting Goods Park is slated for 6:30 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).Â
MLS TEAM OF THE MATCHDAY (MATCHDAY 28)Â
Forwards: Milan Iloski (PHI), Prince Owusu (MTL), Preston Judd (SJ)Â Â
Midfielders: Indiana Vassilev (PHI), Hany Mukhtar (NSH), Thomas MĂĽller (VAN), Kimito Nono (DC)Â Â
Defenders: Osaze Urhoghide (DAL), Jack Elliott (CHI), Justin Haak (LA)Â Â
Goalkeeper: Stefan Cleveland (SKC)Â Â
Coach: Laurent Courtois (CLB)Â Â
Bench: Luka Gavran (TOR), Sean Zawadzki (CLB), Albert Rusnák (SEA), Eduard Löwen (SJ), AndrĂ© Luiz (SKC), Daniel RĂos (MTL), Sergi Solans (RSL), Christian RamĂrez (ATX), Jamal ThiarĂ© (CLB)