The Seattle Sounders and San Jose Earthquakes will both enter their Saturday matchup in Seattle carrying the frustration of midweek draws in which they felt points were left on the table.
The Sounders (9-6-7, 34 points) were left particularly disappointed after surrendering a three-goal lead to draw 3-3 with the visiting Colorado Rapids. Despite a two-goal, one-assist performance from Albert Rusnak, Seattle conceded a 75th-minute tying goal. For the second straight match, the Sounders built a 3-0 advantage only to see it evaporate.
“That scoreline should’ve been game over,” said coach Brian Schmetzer, whose team is now unbeaten in four matches (2-0-2). “I’m more frustrated about our team and us being able to close out games when we go up 3-nothing, especially at home.”
Compounding their challenges, Seattle will be shorthanded against San Jose. Defender Jackson Ragen is suspended for yellow-card accumulation, while Nouhou Tolo will serve the final match of a two-game ban.
Meanwhile, the Earthquakes (7-8-8, 29 points) also settled for a single point in a 2-2 draw against FC Dallas, extending their winless streak to four league games (0-1-3). Josef Martinez was instrumental, assisting on Ian Harkes’ first-half goal before scoring an 86th-minute equalizer just one minute after Dallas had taken the lead.
“It was a sloppy performance at the end of both halves,” said Earthquakes coach Bruce Arena, who criticized defensive lapses on both Dallas goals. “I give our guys a lot of credit getting a point out of this game. In a game where we’re a little bit better, maybe we win by a couple of goals.”
The two clubs last met on March 29 in San Jose, playing to a 1-1 draw.
Source link
