San Jose clinch playoff berth with Nashville draw

The San Jose Earthquakes clinched a place in the 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs with a 1-1 draw against Nashville SC, extending their unbeaten run to nine games with four regular-season matches remaining. Hany Mukhtar put Nashville ahead before Preston Judd headed in the equalizer in the 70th minute; the result left San Jose fourth in the Western Conference at 13-8-9. It is the Earthquakes’ first postseason appearance since 2023, and their recent run has featured six draws in nine games. Judd has scored 16 goals this season, while the club will look to head coach Bruce Arena—who has won five MLS Cups—to help it advance beyond the first round for the first time in 14 years.