3 – 2
“Nick Fernandez struck inside the opening two minutes to give San Jose a shock lead at Lumen Field, silencing the home crowd before the match had barely begun.”
Pivotal“Albert Rusnák stepped up to convert a penalty just before the interval, drawing Seattle level at 1-1 after a tense first half in which the Sounders had pushed for an equaliser. The build-up saw Snyder Brunell's shot saved, a missed header from Jackson Ragen, and Kalani Kossa Rienzi's effort blocked before the penalty was awarded and converted.”
Pivotal“Preston Judd — who had been booked for simulation just eleven minutes earlier — grabbed a leveler to make it 2-2, cancelling out Jesús Ferreira's 55th-minute goal and forcing Seattle to regroup with twenty minutes remaining.”
Pivotal“Substitute Osaze De Rosario, on the pitch for just fourteen minutes, drove home a late winner in the 89th minute to give Seattle a 3-2 lead they would not relinquish, breaking San Jose hearts in stoppage time.”
Pivotal
Seattle Sounders
SJ Earthquakes
Outstanding performance
Seattle Sounders•MidfielderSeattle Sounders came from behind to claim a dramatic 3-2 victory over San Jose Earthquakes at home, but they had to work far harder than their dominant statistics suggested. Nick Fernandez stunned Lumen Field with a second-minute opener for San Jose, and though Albert Rusnák converted a penalty just before half-time to level, the Earthquakes refused to go quietly — Preston Judd, booked for simulation earlier in the second half, equalised again at 69 minutes to make it 2-2 after Jesús Ferreira had briefly put Seattle ahead. With 63 percent possession, 23 shots, and nine corners, Seattle's dominance was statistical throughout, yet San Jose's goalkeeper made six saves and the visitors created two big chances of their own in a stubborn defensive rearguard. It was substitute Osaze De Rosario who ultimately settled the matter, finishing in the 89th minute to hand Seattle all three points and move them further up the Western Conference standings. For San Jose, it is a cruel defeat — they showed enough fight to deserve something from the match, but their inability to hold a lead twice will sting in a tight playoff picture.
How entertaining was this match?
Osaze De RosarioOsaze De Rosario scores with a header.
Jesus Ferreira takes a left-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Ian Harkes takes a header shot but misses.
Peter Kingston takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Substitution: Paul Arriola comes on for Paul Rothrock.
Preston Judd's right-footed shot is blocked.
Ian Harkes takes a shot with his head, but it is blocked.
Preston Judd's right-footed shot is blocked.
Jamar Ricketts takes a left-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Jackson Ragen attempts a header but misses the shot.
Jordan Morris takes a left-footed shot, but it's saved.
Osaze De Rosario takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Peter Kingston is substituted off for Kalani Kossa Rienzi.
Osaze De Rosario replaces Albert Rusnak.
Hassani Dotson has a left-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Jamar Ricketts replaces Jack Skahan.
Hassani Dotson is on, and Snyder Brunell is off.
Jordan Morris replaces Danny Musovski.
Preston JuddPreston Judd scores with a right-footed shot.
Beau Leroux's right-footed shot is blocked.
Preston Judd takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Ian Harkes replaces Jonathan Alexander Gonzalez Mendoza.
Beau Leroux is on, and Noel Arthur Coleman Buck is off.
Paul Rothrock takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Albert Rusnak's right-footed shot is saved.
Preston Judd receives a yellow card.
Cristian Roldan takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Jesús FerreiraShot on goal! Jesus Ferreira takes a right-footed shot.
Paul Rothrock takes a shot with his head, but it misses the target.
Snyder Brunell takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Preston Judd comes on for Nonso Adimabua.
Preston Judd replaces Nonso Adimabua.
The first half ends with the score tied at 1-1.
Paul Marie takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Albert RusnákAlbert Rusnak scores with a right-footed shot.
Goal in the penalty shootout! Albert Rusnak scores, making it 1-1.
Kalani Kossa Rienzi's header is blocked.
Jackson Ragen attempts a header but misses the target.
Snyder Brunell takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Jackson Ragen attempts a header but misses the shot.
Jack Skahan takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Kalani Kossa Rienzi takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Jack Skahan takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Jesus Ferreira takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Jackson Ragen's header is saved.
Snyder Brunell takes a right-footed shot, but it is saved.
Nick FernandezNick Fernandez takes a shot with his right foot and scores.
Kick-off! The referee is Filip Dujic.
The Western Conference's hottest team rolls into Seattle as the SJ Earthquakes, sitting top of the MLS standings with 29 points, take on a Sounders side in strong form of their own. This Pacific Coast rivalry has genuine stakes with Seattle desperate to close the gap on the league leaders, making Thursday night at Lumen Field a must-watch clash.
