San Jose, Calif. — Minnesota United shook off a prolonged struggle with a decisive 5-1 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday at PayPal Park, ending a nine-game stretch without a win in MLS play.
Yeboah breaks drought, pairings restored
Striker Kelvin Yeboah scored twice — his first goals since May 16 across all competitions — and provided the spark a team that had been unable to find the back of the net with consistency desperately needed. Head coach Cameron Knowles reverted to a familiar attacking pairing, starting Yeboah alongside Marcus Caldeira, and the move paid immediate dividends.
"It (expletive) feels great," Knowles said after the match. "We felt like a win was a long time coming. We had some performances that the result didn't quite match and (Saturday) the guys got their reward."
The Loons fell behind early after conceding a third-minute penalty to Timo Werner following a Jefferson Díaz hand ball. But Minnesota responded emphatically, scoring four consecutive goals to seize control.
How the scoring unfolded
Key moments that changed the tone of the match:
- 10th minute — Rodrigo Pereyra leveled the score with a stylish Rabona finish.
- 40th and 44th minutes — Yeboah netted two goals in quick succession to put Minnesota ahead before halftime.
- 65th minute — Marcus Caldeira recorded his first MLS goal to extend the lead.
- 86th minute — Mauricio González added a late goal to cap the 5-1 final.
San Jose's defensive woes continue
The result underscored ongoing defensive issues for the Earthquakes, who have allowed multiple goals in a string of matches. San Jose entered the game having conceded 13 goals across a five-match winless run, leaving their backline an obvious concern for coach and fans.
| Team | Record (after match) | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota United | 7-7-7 | 28 |
| San Jose Earthquakes | 10-8-3 | 33 |
The scoring outburst gave Minnesota a needed lift after a difficult week that included a disappointing loss to Atlanta United earlier in the week — the club’s 10th-anniversary match — and the departure of Chief Soccer Officer Khaled El-Ahmad to Austin FC, news that broke Thursday.
Lineup adjustment rewarded
Knowles’ decision to pair Yeboah with Caldeira — a combination used earlier in the season — restored physicality and pressing effectiveness up front. The coach singled out the front two for their work both with and without the ball.
"I thought the front two were good," Knowles said. "They both were physically imposing, the way we were able to press out of it, against the ball was good as well. They did a good job."
What this means for Minnesota United
The victory halts a run of results that had put pressure on the coaching staff and players. It also provides breathing room in the standings: Minnesota moved to 28 points, keeping them within striking distance of playoff contention but still well short of the leaders.
For a club that has alternated bright performances with puzzling lapses this season, the win offers both a confidence boost and a reminder of the importance of consistent attacking production. Yeboah’s emergence from a goal drought will allow Knowles lineup flexibility going forward and give supporters renewed optimism.
Next steps
- Minnesota United will look to build on this momentum in its next MLS fixture.
- San Jose must address defensive frailties if it hopes to stop a slide that has cost points in recent matches.
This result gives Minnesota a clear, immediate lift and a template for how to deploy its attacking options. Whether the Loons can sustain that level of performance remains the question heading into the remainder of the season.
Soren Halvorsen, State Correspondent
