San Jose Earthquakes 1-1 Nashville SC: Judd header ties it

San Jose Earthquakes took 14 shots to Nashville SC's 6 and still had to settle for a 1-1 draw at PayPal Park. Nashville SC had 53.1 percent of the ball. Hany Mukhtar put Nashville SC ahead in minute 34, and Preston Judd answered with a header in minute 70 for San Jose Earthquakes. The result left Nashville SC on 67 points at the top of the Eastern Conference, while San Jose Earthquakes hold 48 points in fourth place in the West.

Why did San Jose's 14 shots not win the match?

San Jose Earthquakes outshot Nashville SC, 14 shots to 6, but only 2 of those were on goal. Nashville SC put 4 of its 6 shots on goal, and Angus Gunn made 3 saves for San Jose Earthquakes while Brian Schwake made 1 for Nashville SC.

Nashville SC held 53.1 percent of possession and completed 392 of 456 passes. San Jose Earthquakes held 46.9 percent and completed 308 of 391. Nashville SC committed 15 fouls and San Jose Earthquakes 11. San Jose Earthquakes also won 4 corner kicks.

How did Mukhtar and Judd score the goals?

Nashville SC opened the scoring in minute 34 when Hany Mukhtar found the net, and the visitors led at the break. Shakur Mohammed was booked for Nashville SC in minute 28, and Beau Leroux was booked for San Jose Earthquakes in minute 39.

San Jose Earthquakes equalized in minute 70 on a header by Preston Judd, with Eduard Löwen credited alongside him on the play. Judd had been shown a yellow card for San Jose Earthquakes before halftime, and Ian Harkes was booked for San Jose Earthquakes in minute 90.

What form did each side bring into the match?

San Jose Earthquakes drew 2-2 with LAFC, beat Portland Timbers 3-1, then drew 1-1 with Colorado Rapids and 1-1 with Real Salt Lake before this match. Yahoo Sports lists Preston Judd with 16 goals and 3 assists for San Jose Earthquakes, and describes him as a Golden Boot contender.

Nashville SC arrived in better shape: it beat Chicago Fire FC 3-0, Toronto FC 2-0, Austin FC 4-1 and Sporting Kansas City 4-0, in that order. The draw ended that run for Nashville SC, which entered the match with 20 wins and 3 losses.

What comes next for San Jose and Nashville?

Nashville SC sit first in the Eastern Conference with 67 points, ahead of Inter Miami CF on 55. San Jose Earthquakes are fourth in the West with 48 points, and FC Dallas, their next opponent, has 51.

According to Yahoo Sports, San Jose Earthquakes have clinched a 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs spot, with 4 regular-season matches left. San Jose Earthquakes visit FC Dallas on Oct. 24, with kickoff at 20:30 local time, and Nashville SC visit CF Montréal the same day. Yahoo Sports adds that all games are on Apple TV.

The numbers at Scorely

Stat	San Jose Earthquakes	Nashville SC
Possession	46.9 %	53.1 %
Shots	14	6
Shots on target	2	4
Shot accuracy	10 %	70 %
Accurate passes	308	392
Pass accuracy	80 %	90 %
Corners	4	0
Fouls	11	15
Yellow cards	3	1

Team	Last 5
San Jose Earthquakes	D 2-2 vs. LAFC, W 3-1 vs. Portland Timbers, D 1-1 vs. Colorado Rapids, D 1-1 vs. Real Salt Lake, D 1-1 vs. Nashville SC
Nashville SC	W 3-0 vs. Chicago Fire FC, W 2-0 vs. Toronto FC, W 4-1 vs. Austin FC, W 4-0 vs. Sporting Kansas City, D 1-1 vs. San Jose Earthquakes

Pos	Team	P	GD	Pts
1	Nashville SC	30	+41	67
2	Inter Miami CF	30	+22	55
3	New England Revolution	30	+8	52
4	Chicago Fire FC	30	+8	48
1	Vancouver Whitecaps	30	+32	55
2	St. Louis CITY SC	30	+15	51
3	FC Dallas	30	+8	51
4	San Jose Earthquakes	30	+10	48