MLS NEXT Pro: Ten-Man Quakes II Grind Out Gritty 1-0 Victory Over Minnesota

Staff Writer
4 days ago
2 min read

NATIONAL SOCCER NEWS: www.nationalsoccernetwork.com

SAN JOSE, Calif. — In a display of defensive resilience and tactical discipline, San Jose Earthquakes II secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Minnesota United FC 2 at PayPal Park on Sunday night. Despite playing the entire second half with ten men, the Quakes II defense held firm to preserve a crucial three points in the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro regular season.

The match turned into a classic "tale of two halves," shifting from an offensive breakthrough for the hosts to a desperate defensive stand following a first-half dismissal.

Cano’s Header and Rajagopal’s Red

The match reached its climax in a chaotic final two minutes of the first half. In the 44th minute, Quakes II captain Alejandro Cano rose highest in the box to meet a precision corner kick from Edwyn Mendoza, powering a header into the back of the net to give San Jose a 1-0 lead.

However, the celebration was short-lived. Just one minute later, in the 45th minute, midfielder Rohan Rajagopal was issued a straight red card for the denial of an obvious scoring opportunity (DOGSO). The ejection forced the Quakes II into a defensive shell for the duration of the match.

The Great Escape

The second half saw Minnesota United FC 2 launch a relentless offensive assault. With a numerical advantage, the visitors dominated possession and outshot San Jose 16 to 7. However, the Quakes II backline—anchored by Niklas Dossmann and goalkeeper Nate Crockford—was immovable.

Minnesota earned seven corner kicks and forced five offsides calls but struggled to find clinical finishes, recording only two shots on target. San Jose’s commitment to the low block was evident in their eight clearances and two vital saves from Crockford, ensuring the 1-0 margin remained intact until the final whistle.

Match Statistics

Stat	Quakes II	MNUFC 2
Score	1	0
Shots	7	16
Shots on Goal	3	2
Corner Kicks	3	7
Saves	2	2
Red Cards	1 (Rajagopal 45')	0

Looking Ahead: SoCal Road Trip

The victory provides a massive confidence boost for the Quakes II as they prepare to head south for a high-profile California clash.

Opponent: LAFC2
Date: Sunday, April 19, 2026
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. PT
Broadcast: Globally via OneFootball and MLSNEXTPro.com.

San Jose Earthquakes II Lineup: Nate Crockford; Alejandro Cano (Diogo Brandes Baptista 71'), Niklas Dossmann, Martin Mukah Kwende Jr. (Jacob Heisner 70'), Zach Bohane; Kaedren Spivey (Gabe Bracken Serra 80'), Rohan Rajagopal, Edwyn Mendoza; Julian Donnery, Tomo Allen (Yujin Kikuchi 80'), Shane De Flores.