The Seattle Sounders are looking to extend their winning streak to three matches when they play host to the San Jose Earthquakes for a Wednesday clash in the Pacific Northwest. Seattle (13-9-7, 46 points), which has points in three of four matches, will also be out for a measure of revenge on Wednesday. The Sounders dropped the only other meeting between the two clubs this season 3-2 on March 23 in the Bay Area.
Seattle Sounders will go in search of a third straight Major League Soccer victory when the San Jose Earthquakes come visiting Lumen Field on Thursday. While the away side have endured a rough campaign to date, they head to Seattle with the opportunity to complete a league double over their hosts after a 3-2 triumph in the reverse meeting.
Fresh from their joint-biggest win of the season, Seattle Sounders continued their recent resurgence with a comfortable 2-0 triumph over Sporting Kansas City in Monday's meeting between the sides. Brian Schmetzer's men were rewarded for their blistering start to the game through Jackson Ragen's early opener before Paul Rothrock grabbed the clincher five minutes before the half-time whistle. As a result, the Rave Greens have now won consecutive league games for the first time since July to retain fifth place in the Western Conference of the MLS table, nine points adrift of top spot. Seattle Sounders also boast the best defensive record in the division having let in 32 goals, but there is still work to do at the top end of the pitch, with their tally of 43 strikes bettered by as many as nine teams in the west. Nonetheless, Thursday's hosts will head into the final stretch of the regular season on a high, although the first of their five remaining games comes against an opposing side unbeaten in this fixture since 2021.
Team News
Raul Ruidiaz remains out of contention for Seattle Sounders with a knee problem, and the forward is joined on the treatment table by Joao Paulo. Goalkeeper Stefan Frei made a speedy return to action last time out after missing the hosts' 4-0 victory against Columbus Crew with a head injury. American trio Jeremy Ebobisse, JT Marcinkowski and Daniel Munie will not feature in this one due to respective injuries, but Carlos Akapo is available for Real Salt Lake once again. Bruno Wilson also misses out for the away side due to a muscle problem, while 22-year-old Jamar Ricketts is not fit enough to play any part here.
Key Players
Seattle Sounders possible starting lineup:Frei; Baker-Whiting, Ragen, Gomez, A Roldan; C Roldan, Vargas; Rothrock, Rusnak, Minoungou; Morris
San Jose Earthquakes possible starting lineup:Daniel; Beason, Rodrigues, Akapo; Marie, Yueill, Tsakiris, Kikanovic; Lopez, Judd, Espinoza
Match Preview
Seattle Sounders are flying at the moment, while San Jose Earthquakes have shown no signs of a much-needed renaissance, and we fully expect the home team to emerge victorious in the end.For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Looking Ahead
The Sounders host the San Jose Earthquakes at 7:30 PM. The Seattle Sounders can move all the way up to second-place in the Western Conference with a win over the San Jose Earthquakes tonight. To do that, they’d also need LAFC to lose at home to Austin FC, Real Salt Lake to drop points at home to FC Dallas, and the Colorado Rapids to drop points on the road against Sporting KC. Unlikely as those scenarios are to all come to pass, it does underscore how tight the Western Conference is as the Sounders head into the final five matches of the regular season.
What to Watch For
Although he hasn’t produced as much in the goals department this season (four), Espinoza is still one of the best chance creators in the league. The Argentine has 11 assists, his third consecutive season in double digits.
Match Analysis
Where to Watch
The match will be available to watch on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
The Road to the Playoffs
Key Takeaways
Local products Jackson Ragen and Paul Rothrock led the Sounders over SKC with a goal apiece en route to an honor on the Team of the Matchday and Team of the Matchday bench, respectively. Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei earned his second consecutive shutout to pass Kevin Hartman for second all-time in the Major League Soccer clean sheet record book. Seattle has allowed just 32 goals this season, tied for the best defensive mark in the Western Conference.
San Jose Struggles
It’s been a tough season for the Earthquakes, who are the only MLS team currently eliminated from playoff contention. They are tied for the fewest wins in the league with five and have conceded 65 times, the most in MLS. Former assistant Ian Russell leads the ‘Quakes after the club parted ways with former Head Coach Luchi Gonzalez in June.
Looking Ahead
Seattle Sounders FC brings the No. 3 defensive squad in MLS (32 goals conceded) into a home match against one of the worst offensive teams in the league, San Jose Earthquakes (34 goals scored, No. 25), at 10:30 PM ET on Wednesday.
Match Analysis
Seattle Sounders FC brings the No. 3 defensive squad in MLS (32 goals conceded) into a home match against one of the worst offensive teams in the league, San Jose Earthquakes (34 goals scored, No. 25), at 10:30 PM ET on Wednesday.
