Earthquakes top San Diego FC 1-0 on Martinez goal, playoff hopes rise

Josef Martínez scored in the 14th minute and San Jose held on to beat first-place San Diego FC 1-0 on Saturday night at Snapdragon Stadium, handing the expansion side a surprise defeat before a crowd of 29,437. The victory moved the Earthquakes into a tie for the final Western Conference playoff spot while leaving San Diego atop the standings but with its lead under pressure.

Martínez converted a Cristian Arango assist for his 13th goal of the season, the most he has scored since his 27-goal campaign in 2019. The strike was the 129th of Martínez's career, placing him sixth on Major League Soccer's all-time scoring list. Goalkeeper Daniel De Sousa Britto made three saves to record his fifth clean sheet of the season and preserve San Jose's shutout, the club's first since May 28. San Diego goalkeeper C.J. dos Santos was credited with one save.

San Jose coach Bruce Arena praised his defense after the game, singling out defenders Daniel Munie, Reid Roberts and Max Floriani for key contributions. "It wasn't pretty," Arena said. "It was an ugly win, but we'll take it." Defender Munie said the team deliberately tried to slow the game to disrupt San Diego's pace. "We know they like to...