On a dramatic MLS Decision Day, the San Jose Earthquakes edged Austin FC 2-1 at PayPal Park on October 18, 2025, capping off a regular season packed with twists, turns, and playoff implications. While San Jose’s victory provided a thrilling finish to their campaign, it ultimately wasn’t enough to propel them into the postseason, as other results across the Western Conference left them just outside the playoff picture. Meanwhile, Austin FC, already assured of a playoff berth before kickoff, used the match as a tune-up for their upcoming best-of-three series against Los Angeles FC in the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs.
The stakes were sky-high for San Jose entering the match. Under the guidance of former USMNT coach Bruce Arena, the Earthquakes had nearly doubled their points total from the previous season, transforming from league basement dwellers in 2024 (6-25-3) to playoff hopefuls in 2025 (11-15-8). Decision Day scenarios were complex—San Jose needed a win over Austin and for both FC Dallas and Real Salt Lake to lose, a combination that would have sent them into the wild-card round. But as fate would have it, Real Salt Lake’s superior win total clinched the ninth and final Western Conference playoff spot, leaving the Earthquakes just short despite their spirited effort.
As the match got underway in front of a lively crowd and under clear, 72-degree California skies, Austin FC quickly reminded everyone why they’d already locked up the sixth seed. In the 22nd minute, Owen Wolff—one of the league’s brightest young talents—opened the scoring. The 20-year-old forward, who has amassed six goals and seven assists this season, received a sharp pass from Jáder Obrian at the edge of the box. Wolff unleashed a powerful shot that took a deflection off a San Jose defender and spun past the outstretched arms of goalkeeper Daniel, giving Austin a 1-0 lead and registering Wolff’s 15th goal contribution of the campaign. That milestone made him just the third player in Austin FC history to reach 15 goal contributions in a single MLS season.
“It’s always nice to help the team, especially in a match like this,” Wolff said after the game, according to MLSSoccer.com. “We wanted to keep our momentum heading into the playoffs.”
San Jose, knowing their postseason hopes were on the line, ramped up the pressure as the match wore on. The Earthquakes’ persistence paid off in the 74th minute. Jack Skahan whipped in a dangerous entry ball from the right, and veteran striker Josef Martínez rose above the Austin defense to nod home the equalizer. Martínez’s header, assisted by both Skahan and Niko Tsakiris, sent the home fans into a frenzy and brought the Earthquakes level at 1-1. For Martínez, it was another clutch moment in a career defined by big goals.
Just three minutes later, the stadium erupted again. San Jose earned a free kick roughly 10 yards right of the penalty arc. Up stepped 19-year-old midfielder Niko Tsakiris, who had yet to find the net in his MLS career. With nerves of steel, Tsakiris blasted the set piece toward goal. Austin keeper Brad Stuver managed to get a hand on it, but the ball deflected off his glove and nestled inside the near post. Tsakiris’s first career MLS goal arrived at the perfect time, putting San Jose ahead 2-1 and giving the team—and their supporters—hope that a playoff miracle might still be in the cards.
“I just focused on striking it clean,” Tsakiris told reporters after the match. “Seeing it go in and hearing the roar from the crowd is something I’ll never forget.”
Despite the late heroics, the Earthquakes’ playoff dream was dashed as news filtered in from around the league. Real Salt Lake and FC Dallas managed results that kept San Jose out of the wild-card round, with Real Salt Lake ultimately claiming the ninth seed on the basis of a better win total. The Earthquakes finished tied on points with both Real Salt Lake and Colorado Rapids (all with 41), but the tiebreaker rules were not in their favor.
For Bruce Arena and the Earthquakes, the night was bittersweet. The team’s improvement from a last-place finish just a year ago was undeniable, and the atmosphere at PayPal Park reflected a sense of pride and optimism for the future. “We gave ourselves a chance, and that’s all you can ask for,” Arena said in his post-match press conference. “This group has come a long way, and we’ll build on this for next season.”
On the other side, Austin FC will now shift their focus to the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs. Finishing the regular season with a 13-13-8 record, Austin held the sixth spot in the Western Conference and will face third-seeded Los Angeles FC in a best-of-three series. The exact schedule for the playoff showdown is yet to be announced, but every match will be available on MLS Season Pass for Apple TV subscribers. Austin’s balanced attack, led by the likes of Wolff and Obrian, and a defense marshaled by Stuver, gives them plenty of reasons to believe they can make a deep postseason run.
“We know what’s ahead of us,” Austin head coach Josh Wolff commented. “LAFC is a tough opponent, but we’ve shown we can compete with anyone in this league. We’ll be ready.”
The Decision Day drama extended beyond San Jose and Austin, with the Western Conference playoff picture shifting throughout the evening. The Philadelphia Union clinched the Supporters’ Shield with the league’s best record, while Lionel Messi of Inter Miami led the Golden Boot race with 26 goals. The playoffs are set to begin with wild-card matches on October 22, followed by best-of-three series in the opening round, single-elimination semifinals and finals, and the MLS Cup on December 6.
Fans tuning in on Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass were treated to a night of high-stakes soccer, with every bounce of the ball carrying postseason consequences. For San Jose, the night ended in disappointment, but with young talents like Tsakiris and a proven leader in Arena, there’s plenty of hope for 2026. Austin FC, meanwhile, marches on—battle-tested, playoff-bound, and eager for the next challenge.
As the regular season curtain falls, all eyes turn to the playoffs, where new heroes will emerge, and the chase for MLS Cup glory intensifies. For now, Austin FC can savor their hard-fought season and prepare for a blockbuster showdown with LAFC, while San Jose reflects on a season of progress and a Decision Day they won’t soon forget.
