Earthquakes End 14-Year Playoff Drought as 49ers Add DeForest Buckner

Bay Area professional sports franchises delivered a week of postseason milestones, blockbuster roster reunions, and civic celebrations. In San Jose, the Earthquakes hosted their first home MLS Cup Playoff fixture in 14 years before more than 18,000 supporters, the San Francisco 49ers brought back All-Pro defensive tackle DeForest Buckner ahead of the NFL trade deadline, and tens of thousands of fans lined the Embarcadero to celebrate the Golden State Valkyries.

San Jose Earthquakes Host First Home Playoff Match in 14 Years

The San Jose Earthquakes hosted their first home MLS Cup Playoff match in 14 years at PayPal Park, ending one of the longest home postseason droughts in Major League Soccer. More than 18,000 fans packed the San Jose stadium as the rebuilt roster pushed into the Western Conference postseason bracket.

Club executives credited a revamped scouting department, academy player development, and midseason attacking signings for turning around the franchise after finishing at the bottom of the standings in 2024. Local business owners near Coleman Avenue reported surging pre-match restaurant and merchandise sales ahead of kickoff.

49ers Reacquire Defensive Tackle DeForest Buckner From Colts

In Santa Clara, the San Francisco 49ers acquired veteran defensive tackle DeForest Buckner from the Indianapolis Colts ahead of the NFL trade deadline, reuniting the All-Pro lineman with the franchise that drafted him in 2016. General Manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan sent a Day 3 draft pick package to Indianapolis to bolster an interior defensive line depleted by midseason injuries.

Buckner, who played four seasons with San Francisco from 2016 through 2019 including an appearance in Super Bowl LIV, brings veteran pass-rush and run-stopping depth for the second half of the 2026 campaign. Team insiders indicated the 49ers front office remained in discussions for additional depth moves at cornerback and edge rusher before the deadline expired.

Golden State Valkyries Draw Tens of Thousands for Embarcadero Parade

In San Francisco, tens of thousands of fans lined the Embarcadero and Market Street to celebrate the Golden State Valkyries with a downtown victory parade and civic rally. Decked out in violet and black, supporters cheered open-top double-decker buses carrying Valkyries players, coaches, and team executives from the Ferry Building toward Civic Center Plaza.

In just their second WNBA season after launching in 2025, the expansion franchise set league attendance records at Chase Center and captured the region's sporting spotlight. Mayor Daniel Lurie and team leadership praised the fanbase for turning San Francisco into a premier destination for women's professional basketball.