The Seattle Sounders defeated the San Jose Earthquakes in a clash between the top clubs of the Western Conference. A defensive mistake gave the visitors an early lead, but the Sounders battled back and won the match thanks to a last-minute goal.
A meeting between two of the top teams in the Western Conference. The San Jose Earthquakes entered the match leading both the conference and the Supporters Shield table. The Sounders could jump as high as 3rd in both tables with a win.
The Sounders would make a win harder for themselves early on. Kalani Kossa-Rienzi attempted to pass back to his keeper just under the 90-second mark. His pass was poorly placed and intercepted by Earthquakes attacker Nonso Adimbua who crossed the ball over to Nick Fernandes who had an open goal to tap the ball into.
The home side nearly found an equalizer in the 5th minute. Jesus Ferreira got the ball inside the San Jose box, and with a spin he found Snyder Brunell whose effort was saved by Earthquakes’ keeper Daniel.
Bruce Arena’s side was without DP forward Timo Werner, who was missing his second straight match due to injury. The San Jose squad was also partially rotated in preparation for a US Open Cup matchup and further roster congestion.
After a strong response from the Sounders in the following 15 minutes, a breakthrough nearly came for the hosts. Kalani Kossa-Rienzi in the 21st minute dribbled through the box from the upper corner to the penalty area past multiple defenders. His shot took a deflection off a defender before hitting the post. The ball fell to Jesus Ferreira whose cross earned a corner which was eventually cleared.
Snyder Brunell once again was close to his first goal of the season. A lovely passing sequence from the Sounders resulted in a great chance for Brunell. Once again the San Jose keeper denied the Sounders a goal.
Photo: Jon Brennan / House of Sounders
The pressure from the Sounders reached a climax in the 41st minute. A scramble in the San Jose box resulted in a chance from Kossa-Rienzi being blocked by the hand of defender Dave Romney. Albert Rusnak converted from the spot in the 43rd minute to level the match.
The half-time whistle would come with the match tied at one. The Sounders were able to get level after an early mistake, though they will feel like they should be the team in front.
The second half started similarly to the end of the first half. The Sounders were on the front foot, though the Earthquakes were showing a bit more urgency in the midfield. At the half, San Jose brought on top-scorer Preston Judd and speedy winger Ousseni Bouda to help regain control of the match.
In the 55th minute, we witnessed one of the best individual goals in quite some time. Jesus Ferreira intercepted a pass in front of the Sounders box, dribbled the entire length of the pitch, cut the ball back and forth between defenders before curling the ball past the keeper. Words can’t do it justice. You have to see the goal with your eyes. A phenomenal goal from Jesus Ferreira to give the Sounders the lead.
Photo: Jon Brennan / House of Sounders
The Sounders continued the pressure. San Jose was struggling to get out of their own half and the Sounders continued to make chances. San Jose was forced to substitute further regular starters to push for a point.
The substitutions proved vital for the visitors. In the 69th minute, Preston Judd made his own space in the box to get a shot away. A deflection off of Jackson Ragen caused the ball to find the back of the net to level the match.
In the 75th minute, it was Jordan Morris who nearly put the Sounders back ahead. A ball in behind for Morris resulted in a rare effort with his left foot, and once again Daniel made an important save. The Sounders continue to search for a winner.
The game was end-to-end as the clock ticked forward. In the 86th minute, a chance for Peter Kingston was saved after Morris set him up for a chance.
The heavyweight battle between two prize fighters was due one more knock out blow. Osaze De Rosario threw the punch that knocked out the Quakes. In the 89th minute, the Guyana international headed home a ball whipped in by Nouhou to give the Sounders a late lead.
The Earthquakes tried to find another late equalizer, but the Sounders defense stood tall. The additional five minutes of injury time went by and the referee had seen enough. The Sounders sent their fans home happy with a 3-2 victory and a Heritage Cup trophy.
The Sounders remain unbeaten at home since the FIFA Club World Cup and are on a 9-match unbeaten run in MLS. Brian Schmetzer’s squad now sit in 3rd in the Western Conference with a game in hand against the teams above them. The Sounders will host the Los Angeles Galaxy this weekend to cap off a three-match homestand.
Cover Photo: Jon Brennan / House of Sounders
Sounders Starting XI:
(4-2-3-1)
Thomas
Kossa-Rienzi
A. Roldan
Ragen
Nouhou
Brunell
C. Roldan ©
Rusnak
Ferreira
Rothrock
Musovski
Substitutions:
(68’)
ON: Morris – OFF: Musovski
ON: Dotson – OFF: Brunell
(74’)
ON: De Rosario – OFF: Rusnak
ON: Kingston – OFF: Kossa-Rienzi
(82’)
ON: Arriola – OFF: Rothrock
Scoring Summary:
SEA 0-1 SJ – 2’ Nick Fernandez (Assist: Nonso Adimbua)
SEA 1-1 SJ – 43’ Albert Rusnak (Penalty)
SEA 2-1 SJ – 55’ Jesus Ferreira (Assist: None)
SEA 2-2 SJ – 69’ Preston Judd (Assist: None)
SEA 3-2 SJ – 89’ Osaze De Rosario (Assists: Nouhou Tolo, Cristian Roldan)
