Sounders suffer another disappointing league loss.

The Sounders MLS campaign gets more and more bizarre each game. Last week it was a perplexing  1-0 home loss to a visiting Inter Miami that was last in the league standings. Saturday night it was a  disappointing   4-3 loss at San Jose after leading 3-1 early in the second half. The Earthquake’s win over the Sounders was just their second win in MLS and under interim head coach Alex Covelo.

EARLY LEAD GIVES CONFIDENCE

The Sounders took the early lead when Raúl Ruidíaz was scythed down by San Jose’s Nathan in the 10th minute of play, Seattle was awarded a penalty kick, with the center back receiving a yellow card for his efforts. Lodeiro stepped up to the penalty spot, converting the attempt for his opening goal of the MLS season and his 34^th regular-season strike in Rave Green.

The Uruguayan played the role of the creator on Seattle’s second goal six minutes later, swinging in a long free-kick to an onrushing Roldan, who headed the ball home at the near post to double Sounders FC’s advantage. The goal was Roldan’s first of the season and his 29^th regular-season goal since joining Seattle in 2015.

INSPIRATION BEFORE THE BREAK

Instead of going into the locker room with a 2-0 a lead and contemplating resting players head coach Brian Schmetzer’s side committed soccer’s mortal sin by giving up a goal just before halftime.

San Jose got back in the game on a goal by forward Cristian Espinoza in first-half stoppage time, making the score 2-1 leading into the intermission.  The goal no doubt inspired the home side and put doubt in the Sounder’s minds.

MORRIS’S GOAL ESTABLISHES SOUNDER TWO GOAL LEAD

Sounders forward Jordan Morris helped the Rave Green reestablish a two-goal lead early in the second half, receiving a Lodeiro pass in front of goal and converting it past San Jose goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski in the 57^th minute. The strike was Morris’s third of 2022 and his 37^th regular-season goal overall, on a night when he made his 100^th regular-season start for Sounders FC. It was also Lodeiro’s 62^nd assist since joining the Rave Green in the summer of 2016, good enough for fourth all-time among active players.

UNSTOPPABLE ESPINOZA

The lead was short-lived as a determined Earthquakes side continued to press the Sounders who simply became complacent in their passing and marking. The lack of focus and desire allowed the Earthquakes to not only get back in the game but find a way to score the game-winner in stoppage time.

San Jose scored back-to-back goals in consecutive minutes, with Espinoza claiming a second strike from distance in the 64^th minute, followed by a Jackson Yueill goal just moments later. The deciding goal came via a penalty kick for the home side in the 94^th minute after Nouhou committed a foul in the area. Espinoza secured his hat trick with the ensuing attempt, sending Stefan Frei the wrong way.

UN NEXT POSTGAME NOTES