The Sounders desperately needed someone with a clue about offense against San Jose at Buck Shaw Stadium Saturday night. They didn’t find one. Absent leading scorer Eddie Johnson (U.S.), new addition Obafemi Martins (Nigeria) and Mario Martinez (Honduras), all hailed by their countries to compete in World Cup qualifiers, the Sounders fell to Earthquakes 1-0.
Before the game, Johnson tweeted good luck to his Seattle teammates on Twitter before the game. Didn’t work.
The Sounders fell to 0-2-1 in first MLS road game of the season. Three of Seattle’s next five MLS matches are away from CenturyLink Field.
The 2012 MLS MVP, Chris Wondolowski, scored the lone goal in the first minute of stoppage time in the first half.
San Jose keeper Jon Busch sent a goal kick well into Seattle’s half where Adam John headed the ball to Wondolowski, who found the back of the net from top of the box.
Possibly already at the half mentally, the Earthquakes nearly allowed the Sounders to even the score just seconds after the tally.
Mauro Rosales crossed a ball into the box where Samuel Ochoa’s header was narrowly cleared by the San Jose defense. Ochoa was playing in Johnson’s absence.
Seattle’s goose egg, third in six games including Champions League play, came against a shorthanded San Jose defense. Victor Bernandez (Honduras) and Justin Morrow (USA) were also called to play for their countries this week.
Despite being shut out, the Sounders dominated the time of possession, holding the ball 62 percent of the time.
Seattle’s best chance to tie came in the 74th minute — twice. Steve Zakuani sent a cross into Rosales who drilled the ball off the hands of a diving Busch. The deflected ball sat four yards from the goal where David Estrada had the chance, but was unable to evade the San Jose keeper.
Seattle goalie Michael Gspurning made several highlight reel-saves in the second half to keep the match within range.
The Sounders try to get their first three points of the season Saturday on the road at against Real Salt Lake (1-1-2).
1 Comment
That was a frustrating game from a Sounders FC perspective. Sure they were missing some players but champions can look past that. This team can’t do that yet.