Major League Soccer Regular season

San Jose Earthquakes 0 - 1 FT Seattle Sounders

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Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching

Futmetrix Verdict
44
FT
Sun, Mar 15
San Jose Earthquakes
0-1
Seattle Sounders
⚡ Intensity 37
⚖️ Balance 20
🏆 Stakes 50
🎲 Upset 60
Seattle steal first-leg advantage against the odds.

Seattle Survive Quakes Siege to Seize First-Leg Advantage

Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 44/100. A resolute defensive masterclass from the visitors neutralized a relentless attacking storm, completely flipping the script ahead of the return leg.

The Early Ambush

The San Jose Earthquakes set out to turn PayPal Park into a fortress, but the script was violently rewritten just 20 minutes in. Despite the hosts setting a blistering tempo that pushed the Intensity metrics to their upper limits, it was the Seattle Sounders who drew first blood. Against the run of play, a razor-sharp counterattack found J. Ferreira in space. He threaded a perfect ball to P. Rothrock, who finished with icy composure to give the visitors a priceless 1-0 lead. From that moment, San Jose dominated possession with 63 percent of the ball, forcing Seattle into a deep, entrenched defensive posture. The early goal completely warped the tactical dynamic, turning the rest of the first half into an exercise in survival for the away side.

The Green Wall

Trailing at home, San Jose unleashed an absolute barrage. A staggering 25 shots turned the penalty area into a shooting gallery, generating 17 corner kicks as the hosts sought an equalizer. At the heart of this resistance was Andrew Thomas, whose heroics between the posts defined the match. The goalkeeper produced six phenomenal saves, frustrating the Quakes at every turn. San Jose's Niko Tsakiris operated as the chief architect, pulling strings and delivering four key passes in an attempt to unlock the defense. Yet, a towering backline effort, anchored by Antino Lopez, ensured the door remained firmly shut. A significant Upset factor was brewing as Seattle absorbed the staggering shot volume without cracking, proving that offensive quantity does not always translate to quality.

Late Drama and Looking Ahead

The final minutes offered a climax drenched in tension. The statistical Balance of the match heavily favored San Jose's attacking output, but the scoreboard stubbornly refused to bend. Just as the Earthquakes threw everyone forward, Seattle thought they had killed the tie on the counter in the 89th minute. Cody Baker put the ball in the back of the net, only for VAR to dramatically intervene and rule the goal out. That lifeline means the Stakes for the May 14 return leg in Seattle are astronomical. The Earthquakes are bruised but still breathing, while the Sounders travel home clutching a precious one-goal advantage. This knockout tie is far from over, promising another fierce battle in the Pacific Northwest.

Key Questions

How did VAR change this match?

VAR intervened in the 89th minute to rule out Cody Baker's potential tie-killing second goal, keeping San Jose's hopes alive for the return leg.

What made Andrew Thomas the Man of the Match?

Thomas delivered a towering performance in goal, registering six crucial saves to frustrate San Jose's 25-shot barrage and secure a vital clean sheet.

What is the Futmetrix Score?

The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.

Match Statistics

Possession
63%
37%
San Jose Earthquakes 63%
Seattle Sounders 37%
Shots
25
6
San Jose Earthquakes 25
Seattle Sounders 6
Shots on Target
7
4
San Jose Earthquakes 7
Seattle Sounders 4
Expected Goals (xG)
1.67
0.51
San Jose Earthquakes 1.67
Seattle Sounders 0.51
Passes
483
311
San Jose Earthquakes 483
Seattle Sounders 311
Pass Accuracy
87%
81%
San Jose Earthquakes 87%
Seattle Sounders 81%
Corners
17
0
San Jose Earthquakes 17
Seattle Sounders 0
Fouls
6
11
San Jose Earthquakes 6
Seattle Sounders 11
Yellow Cards
1
4
San Jose Earthquakes 1
Seattle Sounders 4
Red Cards
0
0
San Jose Earthquakes 0
Seattle Sounders 0

Match Events

Nouhou Tolo 🟨 10'
P. Rothrock (J. Ferreira) 20'
HT
Nikola Petković 🟨 46'
J. Ferreira A. Rusnak 🔄 46'
Daniel Musovski 🟨 56'
57' 🔄 D. Jones Vitor Costa
Peter Kingston 🟨 59'
N. Petkovic A. Roldan 🔄 65'
D. Musovski O. De Rosario 🔄 65'
G. Minoungou C. Roldan 🔄 65'
77' 🔄 O. Bouda J. Skahan
77' 🔄 B. Leroux N. Fernandez
86' 🟨 Niko Tsakiris
P. Kingston S. Brunell 🔄 86'
Cody Baker 89'
90'+1 🔄 B. Kikanovic P. Marie
FT

Player Cards

Our take on every player in this match

San Jose Earthquakes

Goalkeepers
Daniel
MAGNET
MAGNET
19
Activity
19
Activity
19
Passes
0
Duels
Defenders
B. Kikanovic
NPC
NPC
91
Minutes
91
Minutes
19%
Pass Acc
6.5
Rating
D. Munie
STORMTROOPER
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
R. Roberts
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
99
Total Mins
Started
Entry
D. Jones
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
57
Total Mins
57
Entry
Midfielders
R. Vieira
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
99
Total Mins
Started
Entry
B. Leroux
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
13
Late Mins
13
Late Mins
77
Total Mins
77
Entry
O. Bouda
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
13
Late Mins
13
Late Mins
77
Total Mins
77
Entry
N. Tsakiris
MAGNET
MAGNET
90
Activity
90
Activity
78
Passes
12
Duels
T. Werner
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
99
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Forwards
P. Judd
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
99
Total Mins
Started
Entry
BENCH
E. Edwards
SPECTATOR
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
D. Romney
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Vitor Costa
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
42
Total Mins
Started
Entry
P. Marie
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
8
Total Mins
Started
Entry
J. Ricketts
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
J. A. Gonzalez Mendoza
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
J. Skahan
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
22
Total Mins
Started
Entry
I. Harkes
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
N. Fernandez
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
22
Total Mins
Started
Entry

Seattle Sounders

Goalkeepers
A. Thomas
OCTOPUS
OCTOPUS
6
Saves
6
Saves
0
Conceded
100%
Save %
Defenders
C. Baker
PROVOCATEUR
PROVOCATEUR
4
Fouls Won
4
Fouls Won
7
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
A. Lopez
SHIELD
SHIELD
4
Blocks
4
Blocks
0
Interceptions
0
Tackles
J. Ragen
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
99
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Nouhou
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
99
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Midfielders
P. Kingston
BRUISER
BRUISER
3
Fouls
3
Fouls
Yellow
Cards
4
Tackles
N. Petkovic
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
65
Total Mins
65
Entry
P. Rothrock
SNIPER
SNIPER
50%
Conversion
50%
Conversion
1
Goals
2
Shots
J. Ferreira
PROVIDER
PROVIDER
1
Assists
1
Assists
2
Key Passes
6.9
Rating
G. Minoungou
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
65
Total Mins
65
Entry
Forwards
D. Musovski
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
65
Total Mins
65
Entry
BENCH
S. Frei
SPECTATOR
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
A. Roldan
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
34
Total Mins
Started
Entry
A. Rusnak
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
54
Total Mins
Started
Entry
S. Gomez
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
C. Roldan
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
34
Total Mins
Started
Entry
S. Brunell
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
13
Total Mins
Started
Entry
K. Kossa-Rienzi
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
O. De Rosario
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
34
Total Mins
Started
Entry
P. Arriola
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry

Head to Head

Date Home Score Away Competition Venue
20/07/2025 Seattle Sounders 3 - 2 San Jose Earthquakes Major League Soccer Lumen Field
30/03/2025 San Jose Earthquakes 1 - 1 Seattle Sounders Major League Soccer Earthquakes Stadium
19/09/2024 Seattle Sounders 2 - 2 San Jose Earthquakes Major League Soccer Lumen Field
24/03/2024 San Jose Earthquakes 3 - 2 Seattle Sounders Major League Soccer PayPal Park
13/07/2023 San Jose Earthquakes 2 - 0 Seattle Sounders Major League Soccer PayPal Park
01/06/2023 Seattle Sounders 0 - 1 San Jose Earthquakes Major League Soccer Lumen Field
09/10/2022 Seattle Sounders 2 - 2 San Jose Earthquakes Major League Soccer Lumen Field
24/04/2022 San Jose Earthquakes 4 - 3 Seattle Sounders Major League Soccer PayPal Park
20/07/2025
Major League Soccer Lumen Field
30/03/2025
Major League Soccer Earthquakes Stadium
19/09/2024
Major League Soccer Lumen Field
24/03/2024
Major League Soccer PayPal Park
13/07/2023
Major League Soccer PayPal Park
01/06/2023
Major League Soccer Lumen Field
09/10/2022
Major League Soccer Lumen Field
24/04/2022
Major League Soccer PayPal Park
San Jose Earthquakes Win
Seattle Sounders Win
Draw