SAN JOSE, Calif. — A late goal from Ousseni Bouda secured a 1-0 victory for the San Jose Earthquakes over Los Angeles FC in a tightly contested MLS Western Conference match at PayPal Park on Saturday night, ending LAFC’s bid for a road win and extending the Earthquakes’ unbeaten streak to three games.
The decisive moment came in the 82nd minute when Bouda, making his first start since returning from a minor hamstring strain, pounced on a loose ball inside the penalty area after a corner kick was cleared poorly by LAFC’s defense. He fired a low, left-footed shot past goalkeeper John McCarthy to give San Jose a 1-0 lead that held until the final whistle.
LAFC dominated possession throughout the match, controlling 62% of the ball and outshooting San Jose 14 to 8, but struggled to convert chances against a compact Earthquakes defense that sat deep and absorbed pressure. Denis Bouanga came closest for LAFC in the 67th minute, curling a effort just wide of the far post after a quick interchange with Carlos Vela near the edge of the box.
San Jose goalkeeper Jonas Cardoso made several key saves to preserve the clean sheet, including a strong denial of a header from Eddie Segura in the 58th minute and a reflex stop to turn away a close-range effort from David Martínez in stoppage time. Cardoso finished with four saves, earning MLS Team of the Week honors for his performance.
The result leaves LAFC in fourth place in the Western Conference standings with 38 points from 22 matches, while San Jose moves up to 10th with 25 points, closing the gap on the playoff line. LAFC remains two points behind third-place Seattle Sounders and four points behind second-place Real Salt Lake, with a game in hand on both teams.
Head coach Steve Cherundolo acknowledged his team’s frustration after the match, noting the difficulty of breaking down a well-organized opponent. “We created enough to win the game, but we didn’t do it,” Cherundolo said. “Credit to San Jose — they defended with purpose and took their chance. We have to be better in the final third, especially when we have the ball as much as we did.”
Earthquakes head coach Luchi Gonzalez praised his team’s discipline and resilience, highlighting Bouda’s impact as a sign of growing depth in the squad. “Ousseni has been working his way back, and tonight he showed why we believe in him,” Gonzalez said. “He stayed ready, and when his number was called, he delivered. That’s what we need from everyone.”
Bouda, who joined San Jose from Austrian Bundesliga side FC Liefering in January 2023, has now scored three goals in his last five appearances across all competitions. The 22-year-old Burkina Faso international has turn into a key rotational option for Gonzalez, offering pace and directness off the bench or as a late-game substitute.
LAFC will look to bounce back when they host Austin FC at BMO Stadium on Wednesday night in a midweek Western Conference clash. San Jose returns home to face Real Salt Lake on April 20 in a match that could have significant implications for both teams’ playoff hopes.
The match drew an announced attendance of 15,892 at PayPal Park, with fans treated to a cool evening in Silicon Valley as temperatures hovered around 62°F (17°C) at kickoff. Both teams will now turn their focus to upcoming fixtures as the MLS regular season enters its decisive stretch.
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