SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) – Niko Tsaris scored his first MLS career goal in the 77th minute, Joseph Martinez also had a goal, and the San Jose Earthquakes defeated Austin FC 2-1 on Saturday night in the final regular-season game for both teams.
Austin (13-13-8) is sixth in the Western Conference and will play third-seeded Los Angeles FC in the MLS Cup playoffs.
Tsalis took a free kick from about 10 yards to the right of the penalty arc, but it deflected off goalie Brad Stuber’s outstretched hand and slid inside the near post, giving the Earthquakes a 2-1 lead.
Owen Wolff scored the opening goal in the 22nd minute. On the counter-attack, Wolff took a shot from just outside the area that was deflected by a defender and into the net, giving Austin a 1-0 lead.
San Jose (11-15-8) tied the score at 1-1 in the 74th inning with Martinez’s header off a pass from Jack Skahan.
The Earthquakes finished at 63%, outscoring Austin 26-4 and 10-2 on target.
Stuber finished with eight saves.
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