Leroux, Daniel lead Earthquakes to 1-0 victory, handing Whitecaps first loss of season

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San Jose Earthquakes goalkeeper Daniel (42) makes a save as Benji Kikanovic (28), Reid Roberts (18), Vancouver Whitecaps' Tristan Blackmon (33) and Aziel Jackson (22) watch during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, on Saturday, March 21, 2026. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP)

San Jose Earthquakes' Jamar Ricketts (2) and Preston Judd (19) trip Vancouver Whitecaps' Edier Ocampo (18) during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, on Saturday, March 21, 2026. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP) — San Jose Earthquakes goalkeeper Daniel (42) makes a save as Benji Kikanovic (28), Reid Roberts (18), Vancouver Whitecaps' Tristan Blackmon (33) and Aziel Jackson (22) watch during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, on Saturday, March 21, 2026. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP)

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1:01 AM on Sunday, March 22

The Associated Press

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Beau Leroux scored in first-half stoppage time and Daniel De Sousa Britto made it stand as the San Jose Earthquakes cooled off Vancouver with a 1-0 victory on Saturday night, ruining the start of a five-match homestand for the Whitecaps.

Leroux scored unassisted in the second minute of stoppage time to give the Earthquakes (4-1-0) the lead for good. Leroux's first goal this season comes after scoring five times in 33 matches as a rookie last year.

Daniel finished with six saves in posting his fourth clean sheet in five starts this season and his 15th in 68 career starts — all with the Earthquakes. He's never had more than five in one season.

Yohei Takaoka saved one shot on goal for the Whitecaps (4-1-0), who outscored their opponents 14-1 in winning their first four matches.

Vancouver falls into a second-place tie with San Jose, one point behind Los Angeles FC in a hotly-contested Western Conference that boasts seven teams with at least three victories through the first five weeks.

The Earthquakes also evened the series at 13-13-12.

Vancouver entered the match with a 20-4-7 all-time record at BC Place under head coach Jesper Sørensen.

St. Louis City was the last team to open with five straight victories — doing so in its 2023 expansion. season.

Up next

San Jose: Hosts San Diego FC on April 4.

Vancouver: Hosts the Portland Timbers on April 4.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/soccer