A gutsy performance from a rotated Sounders squad held off an unrelenting press from the San Jose Earthquakes. A first-half goal from Paul Rothrock was enough to decide the match, although the defense was even more important than the goal.
From a snow shower to sunshine and clear skies. The Sounders experienced both in the span of a few days. The kickoff temperature in San Jose was a warm 82 degrees with clear skies. A perfect day for some soccer.
The match started quickly with an early chance from Cody Baker. In the 6th minute, Georgi Minoungou slid the ball across the top of the box to Cody Baker, whose effort went narrowly wide of the right post.
The Earthquakes took the momentum after some early pressure from the Sounders. Earning a couple of corners and free kicks in the first 15 minutes. Nouhou was shown an early, and pretty soft, yellow card in an attempt to stop an attack.
The breakthrough came earlier today for the Sounders, but the players combining are all too known by the score-sheet this season. Jesus Ferreira slipped an inch-perfect pass behind the San Jose defense for Paul Rothrock to run onto. Rothrock took a touch to settle the ball before tucking the ball past the keeper. An opening goal in the 20th minute, and the Sounders once again take a lead on the road.
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The Earthquakes did not let up after conceding their first goal of 2026, netting a total of 11 shots in the first half. A flurry of attempts in the 37th minute required some last ditch defending from the pair of center backs in front of Andrew Thomas’ goal.
A real bright spot in the first half was U22 midfielder Nikola Petkovic. The player on loan from Charlotte was influential in the midfield and controlling the flow of the Sounders attack. His first start for the Rave Green was off to a very great start.
Another player to note was Defiance call-up Antino Lopez. After a brief, but strong, appearance against the Whitecaps mid-week, Lopez earned a start in today’s match. His first half was nothing short of brilliant and he really held his own against the likes of Timo Werner.
The Sounders held on to the 1-0 lead heading into the halftime break. Jesus Ferreira’s night was done after 45 minutes, as Albert Rusnak came into the match after the break. Brian Schmetzer rotating his players while still keeping fitness.
The second half started off quick with a chance for the Sounders. Peter Kingston, another Defiance call-up, lofted a peach of a ball over the defense to find Paul Rothrock, but this time the effort was saved by San Jose keeper Daniel.
Photo Credit: Sounders FC Communications
In the 60th minute, a free kick from San Jose was spilled in the box by Andrew Thomas after making a quick reaction save. The ball fell for Earthquakes midfielder Beau Leroux. As Leroux attempted a shot from the top of the box, Nikola Petkovic closed down the angle quickly and blocked the shot, throwing his body on the line.
Just a moment later, San Jose had another chance as Preston Judd got in behind the center backs. Andrew Thomas came up clutch in the 1v1 situation and made a very important save. Thomas made two big saves in back-to-back minutes of the game.
Following the intense pressure from San Jose, Brian Schmetzer turned to his big names off the bench. The Roldan brothers entered the match alongside Osaze De Rosario in the 65th minute.
The Earthquakes continued to apply pressure as PayPal Park began to tremble. The sold out crowd was practically begging to erupt in celebration. Awaiting a goal from the home side.
The best chance came in the 73rd minute. Preston Judd was in again behind the defense. Jackson Ragen applied pressure which caused the shot to come off shakily. Andrew Thomas got a hand to it but it got past him and went right towards the back of the net…
…But the ball did not go in. Antino Lopez, who never gave up on the play, cleared the ball off the line. The acrobatic clearance saved a goal and retained the 1-0 lead.
Antino Lopez, who was making his last allotted short-term loan, may have potentially earned himself a contract. The young defender may have been the best player on the pitch. With the Sounders continued injuries at the center back position, it would not be out of the realm of possibility for Lopez to earn a spot on the first team roster.
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Andrew Thomas came up big again in the 83rd minute. Making two saves in the span of 40 seconds. The Earthquakes would not relent. Continued pressure as the Sounders were begging the clock to tick faster.
All the pressure from the Earthquakes would not amount to much as the Sounders defense continued to deny chance after chance. And then the crowd fell silent.
In the 86th minute, a deflected shot from Cody Baker found the back of the net, giving the Sounders a much needed second goal. However, VAR once again intervened in a match to the detriment of the Sounders. Albert Rusnak was deemed to be in an offside position on the shot from Baker, blinding the view of goalkeeper Daniel. The goal was waved off, giving the crowd some hope once again.
In the second of eight additional minutes, Andrew Thomas came up big again. A quick reaction to his near post denying the Quakes once again.
San Jose registered 25 shots, only 7 on target, and a whopping 17 corners. Despite all this pressure, the Sounders would ultimately hold on for a vital road victory.
The Sounders win over the Earthquakes makes it three wins on the road within the last eight days. Road wins are hard to come by in MLS, but the early days of the season are proving different for the Sounders.
In the post-match press conference, Brian Schmetzer indicated that Antino Lopez would “have something in the mail to sign” from GM Craig Waibel. Additionally, Schmetzer said that he will be “petitioning” to sign Peter Kingston to a first team contract as well.
Spokane awaits the Sounders for a mid-week match against the Whitecaps. The Second Leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 takes place this Wednesday, with the Sounders holding a 3-0 aggregate lead.
Cover Photo Credit: Sounders FC Communications
