Judd scores 2 goals to help Earthquakes beat Timbers 3-1, snap 4-game winless streak

PORTLAND, Ore. — Preston Judd scored goals in the second and 12th minutes, Daniel Munie also scored a goal, and the San Jose Earthquakes beat the Portland Timbers 3-1 on Saturday night to snap a four-game winless streak.

San Jose beat Portland at Providence Park for the first time in 20 tries (1-14-5) since the Timbers joined MLS in 2011. The win was also an historic one because their 10-3-2 record is the best after 15 gams in the Quakes’ 52-year history.

Heading into the MLS’ two-month break for FIFA World Cup matches, the Earthquakes (10-3-2) now have 32 points, one point behind behind MLS-leading Nashville. San Jose is tied with Vancouver for the most points in the Western Conference, but the Whitecaps are in first -place by virtue of its higher goal differential — plus-22 for Vancouver to San Jose’s plus-19.

“If any team needed and deserved a break, it’s our team,” said San Jose coach Bruce Arena. “We’re banged up, and we’ve had a loaded schedule throughout May, but we managed to survive and keep our heads above water. I couldn’t be prouder of the group.”

Judd opened the scoring with a rolling shot from the edge of the box and fired a rising shot from the center of the area to make it 2-0 about 10 minutes later, off an assist by Nick Fernandez, a former University of Portland star who stole the ball, fed Judd in the box and let the 26-year-old finish from there.

“He’s been an important player for us… give Preston a lot of credit, he’s done really well,” Arena said. “And Munie has also come up with a couple goals on restarts, which is important.”

Antony Alves Santos (known as “Antony”) scored in the 18th minute for the Timbers (4-8-2).

Judd became the third player in Quakes history to score a goal in four consecutive away games, joining Chris Wondolowski (three times, last in 2014) and Raul Diaz Arce (1999). Judd, who had three goals in his first 40 away matches in MLS, leads San Jose with 11 goals this season. Ousseni Bouda is the Quakes’ second-leading goal scorer with five.

“I’m just happy to help the team get the win tonight,” said Judd. “It was an important result to put us in a positive mindset heading into the break.”

San Jose, which had allowed eight goals in the first 12 games, conceded six in the back-to-back losses going into Saturday. But on Saturday, San Jose displayed the kind of defense that helped fuel its rise in the MLS standings this season.

San Jose goalkeeper Daniel kept busy with six saves on the night. James Pantemis had four saves for the Timbers.

San Jose’s Timo Werner, who has four goals in as many starts this season, has missed the last five games due to a hamstring injury and 20-year-old midfielder Niko Tsakiris (groin surgery) — who has two goals and seven assists this season — has missed four straight.

“We’ve dealt with a number of injuries, so by the tie we return to league play at the end of July, we should be a healthier team with several guys coming back, which is positive.”

San Jose’s next MLS game won’t be until July 22, when it hosts Orlando City FC at PayPal Park.