San Jose Earthquakes Rout Sporting KC 3-0 in MLS Opener

Daniel Munie's brace and a goal from Preston Judd lead San Jose to a dominant victory.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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The San Jose Earthquakes defeated Sporting Kansas City 3-0 in their season-opening MLS match. Daniel Munie scored two goals, while Preston Judd added another, as San Jose outshot Sporting KC 18-7 and had 15 corner kicks to just 3 for the visitors. Sporting KC is coming off a major overhaul, including a new general manager and head coach, after finishing last in the Western Conference last season.

Why it matters

This result is an encouraging start for the Earthquakes, who are looking to bounce back after a disappointing 2025 season. For Sporting KC, the loss highlights the challenges they face as they try to rebuild and return to the playoffs under new leadership.

The details

Daniel Munie scored two goals for the Earthquakes, with his first coming in the 42nd minute off a deflected header from Preston Judd on a corner kick. Munie then added his second in the 54th minute, with assists from Beau Leroux and Reid Roberts. Judd also found the back of the net in first-half stoppage time, with assists from Jamar Ricketts and Niko Tsakiris.

  • The match was the season opener for both teams on Saturday, February 22, 2026.
  • Munie's first goal came in the 42nd minute of the first half.
  • Judd's goal came in first-half stoppage time at the 46th minute.
  • Munie's second goal was scored in the 54th minute of the second half.

The players

Daniel Munie

A forward for the San Jose Earthquakes who scored two goals in the season-opening victory.

Preston Judd

A midfielder for the San Jose Earthquakes who scored one goal in the match.

Niko Tsakiris

A midfielder for the San Jose Earthquakes who provided an assist on Preston Judd's goal.

John Pulskamp

The goalkeeper for Sporting Kansas City.

Rafaël Wicky

The new head coach of Sporting Kansas City, who is overseeing the team's rebuilding efforts.

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What they’re saying

“This was a great team performance to start the season. We executed our game plan well and took advantage of our opportunities.”

— Daniel Munie, Forward, San Jose Earthquakes (AP News)

“We have a lot of work to do, but I'm confident this group will continue to improve as we build chemistry and find our identity.”

— Rafaël Wicky, Head Coach, Sporting Kansas City (AP News)

What’s next

Sporting Kansas City will look to bounce back in their next match against the Portland Timbers on February 29th, while the Earthquakes will aim to build on this strong start when they face the Seattle Sounders on March 7th.

The takeaway

This result showcases the Earthquakes' offensive firepower and the challenges facing Sporting KC as they undergo a major rebuild. It will be interesting to see how both teams progress throughout the 2026 MLS season.