Earthquakes Earn Season-Opening Shutout Over Kansas City

Defense shines as San Jose blanks Sporting KC 3-0 in MLS opener

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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The San Jose Earthquakes opened their 2026 MLS season with a 3-0 victory over Sporting Kansas City, led by a dominant defensive performance and two goals from center back Daniel Munie. The Quakes allowed just one shot on goal and recorded their first shutout after struggling defensively last season.

Why it matters

After finishing last in the Western Conference in 2025, the Earthquakes are looking to bounce back this season. Their strong defensive showing in the opener, along with contributions from new and returning players, provides optimism that they can improve and potentially make a playoff push.

The details

Munie, a 26-year-old defender, scored twice for the Earthquakes, opening the scoring in the 42nd minute and adding another goal in the 54th minute. Striker Preston Judd also found the net for San Jose in the first half. The Quakes outshot Sporting KC 18-6 and had an expected goals mark of 3.9. Defensively, the Earthquakes moved to a 4-2-3-1 formation with Munie and 22-year-old Reid Roberts in the middle, and they limited Sporting KC to just 0.5 expected goals.

  • The Earthquakes opened their 2026 MLS season on Saturday, February 22, 2026.
  • Munie scored his first goal in the 42nd minute and his second in the 54th minute.
  • Judd's goal came in the first minute of stoppage time in the first half.

The players

Daniel Munie

A 26-year-old center back who scored two goals for the Earthquakes in the season opener, matching his total from his first 44 career games.

Preston Judd

The Earthquakes' leading returning goal scorer, who found the net in the first half of the season opener.

Ronaldo Vieira

The Earthquakes' new captain, who provided a steady presence at defensive midfield after joining the team from Italy last season.

Bruce Arena

The Earthquakes' head coach, who is a five-time MLS champion and is looking to lead the team to the playoffs after they missed out last year.

Reid Roberts

A 22-year-old defender who started in the middle of the Earthquakes' backline in the season opener after being the team's first-round draft pick in 2025.

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What they’re saying

“The goals are great, but getting a shutout was probably most important. Especially after last year, we didn't get many shutouts.”

— Daniel Munie, Center back (San Francisco Chronicle)

“We're pretty athletic in the back. We have good pace. Defensively, we were pretty solid against a team that, to their credit, they move the ball pretty well. They weren't that dangerous in the final third, but they're a possession team, and they made us work.”

— Bruce Arena, Head coach (San Francisco Chronicle)

“It's a good service, good delivery from our teammates, and good, hard runs from everyone. I think a lot of goals come from inside the 6-[yard box]. It doesn't have to be pretty. Getting a gritty goal, as my boy Preston would always say.”

— Daniel Munie, Center back (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The Earthquakes will host Atlanta United on Saturday, February 29, 2026, with the expectation that new signing Timo Werner will be available to make his debut.

The takeaway

The Earthquakes' strong defensive performance and contributions from both new and returning players in the season opener suggest the team has the potential to bounce back from a disappointing 2025 campaign and potentially challenge for a playoff spot in 2026.