Sounders offense takes a step forward and defense regresses in 3-2 loss to Earthquakes

MATCH NOTES

• Sounders FC now has two points through four games this season (0-2-2) and sits last in the Western Conference.

• Raúl Ruidíaz became Sounders FC’s all-time leading goal scorer with his penalty kick in the 72^nd minute. It marked his second goal of the season and 80^th across all competitions since coming to Seattle in 2018, passing Fredy Montero’s previous club record of 79.

• Danny Musovski scored his first Sounders FC goal with the 74^th-minute equalizer. The 28-year-old joined Seattle this offseason after tallying 45 career goals over six professional seasons in MLS and USL Championship.

• Cody Baker recorded his first career MLS assist with the cross on Musovski’s strike.

• Seattle is now 15-15-9 all-time against the Earthquakes in MLS regular season play since joining the league in 2009, but has not won in the past five meetings against San Jose (0-4-1).

• Saturday’s matchup marked the first of this year’s Heritage Cup, a competition between Seattle and San Jose as the two teams that kept their same club names originally used in the North American Soccer League. The teams are also celebrating their 50th anniversary season this year, both being formed in 1974 while competing in the NASL. The second and final fixture between the two sides is set for September 18 at Lumen Field.

• Stefan Frei made his first start of the season in goal after suffering a hamstring injury prior to the season opener. Andrew Thomas made four appearances in goal for Seattle with Frei out.

• Sota Kitahara made his first career start for Sounders FC alongside Danny Leyva. Sounders FC was without midfielders João Paulo (injury), Obed Vargas (injury) and Josh Atencio (suspension) on Saturday.

• Jordan Morris made his 150^th career start in MLS regular-season play.

• Jackson Ragen made his 50^th career start in MLS regular-season play.

• Defender Jonathan Bell was unavailable for selection on Saturday after receiving a late call-up to the Jamaican National Team for its Concacaf Nations League match against Panama tomorrow in Dallas.

MATCH SUMMARY

Seattle Sounders FC 2 – San Jose Earthquakes 3

Saturday, March 23, 2024

Venue: PayPal Park

Referee: Gabriele Ciampi

Assistants: Clarence Clark, Race Williams

Fourth Official: Michael Zapata

VAR: Mark Geiger

Attendance: 16,109

Weather: 56 degrees and clear

SCORING SUMMARY

SJ – Vitor Costa (Bruno Wilson) 42’

SJ – Cristian Espinoza 43’

SEA – Raúl Ruidíaz (penalty) 72’

SEA – Danny Musovski (Cody Baker) 81’

SJ – Jeremy Ebobisse (Jack Skahan) 82’

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

SEA – Dylan Teves (caution) 52’

SEA – Jackson Ragen (caution) 65’

SJ – Jack Skahan (caution) 90’+3’

LINEUPS & STATS

Seattle Sounders FC – Stefan Frei; Alex Roldan, Yeimar (Paul Rothrock 87’), Jackson Ragen, Nouhou; Dylan Teves (Danny Musovski 74’), Sota Kitahara (Albert Rusnák 58’), Danny Leyva (Cody Baker 69’), Cristian Roldan; Raúl Ruidíaz, Jordan Morris

Substitutes not used: Andrew Thomas, Xavier Arreaga, Nathan

Total shots: 15

Shots on goal: 7

Fouls: 17

Offside: 0

Corner-Kicks: 8

Saves: 4

San Jose Earthquakes – William Yarbrough; Paul Marie (Daniel Munie 83’), Bruno Wilson, Rodrigues, Vitor Costa; Alfredo Morales, Jackson Yueill, Niko Tsakiris (Jack Skahan 64’); Cristian Espinoza, Preston Judd (Jeremy Ebobisse 76’), Benji Kikanovic (Tanner Beason 84’)

Substitutes not used: Emmanuel Ochoa, Jamar Ricketts, Will Richmond, Tommy Thompson, Beau Leroux