Did Sounders find new effective attacking system in 1-1 draw with San Jose ?

LACKLUSTER FIRST HALF

Sounders FC had their typical first half, in which they created some half chances that went begging. Paul Rothrock found space down the flank and exploited it by taking on San Jose defenders. Unfortunately, like an all-too-familiar broken record, Rothrock’s exploits were wasted due to a lack of options. When he went inside, there were no runners in the box, and when he stayed wide, there was no back or square pass option.

SOME EARLY CHANCES

 Despite the misfires, the Sounders could have taken the lead in the 19^th minute when Rothrock’s cross from the left flank found an ascending Alex Roldan header the ball to San  Jose keeper Daniel, who deftly tipped it over the bar for a Sounders corner. Less than 60 seconds later, Cristian Roldan’s pass into the box found a darting Obed Vargas, who was let down by his first touch, which was too heavy and ended up being blocked for a Sounders corner. 

COSTLY MISTAKE

The corner was wasted, and the game remained goalless until a self-inflicted wound gifted the home side the lead in the  33rd minute. A lazy pass out of the back by  Alex Roldan was intercepted by  San Jose midfielder Beau Leroux, whose right-footed shot deflected of a diving Jackson Ragen and ended into the back of the Sounders goal. The 1-0 lead breathed confidence into the home side and gave them the impetus to push for another goal before the halftime break. The  Sounders defense held, and the score remained 1-0 at the break.

TACTICAL AND PERSONNEL SWITCH

The second half began with a substitution of Daniel Musovski for Joào Paulo .    Having a dedicated striker in front of the   San Jose Centerbacks opened up wide lanes for the Sounders attack.  Paul Rothrock and Jesus Ferreria were able to find space to attack the San Jose backline. Another subtle change to the Sounders attack was  Cristian Roldan sliding back into the midfield, creating a trifecta of Cristian, Albert  Rusnack, and Obed Vargas. The adjustment enabled the Sounders to not only keep the ball but also find pockets in which to exploit the reeling Earthquakes backline.

CONTINUED  PUSH

With space to advance, the Sounders were able to get solid looks at the Earthquakes’ goal. Fullback Nouhou, fresh from International duty with Cameron, showed no signs of fatigue and nearly scored in the 53^rd and 66^th minutes. Musovski had stellar chances in the 68^th, as did Cristian Roldan in the 73rd minute. Georgio Minougou joined the shooting gallery in the 77^th minute, but his shot was saved by Daniel, who looked unbeatable.

  A  Ferreria pass from the left side of the goal to Cristian Roldan, who was standing in front of the goal, was recycled all the way to the right side of the  San Jose goal to a  sprinting  Rusnák who dispelled any notion of  Daniel being unbeatable.  Rusnák darted toward the goal and unleashed a rising right-footed shot that left Daniel chasing shadows with 10 minutes left in the contest.

BIG TAKE

The Sounders were unable to find the game-winner and settled for the 1-1 draw. What they did find was some creativity in their attack. Having Musoviski upfront occupies opposing center backs, which then opens up the space directly behind him for Rusnáck, Cristian Roldan, and Obed Vargas. Splitting Jesus Ferreira and either  Paul  Rothrock or  Georgi Minoungou out wide forces opposing backline defenders to go out wide, creating more space in the middle. The shifting of the players gives the Sounders a competitive advantage in their primary assist zone. The big question is, will  Schmetzer give this new found scheme a chance to work?

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GAME NOTES

MATCH NOTES

• With the result, Seattle sits in 12^th place in the Western Conference at the time of writing with six points (1-2-3).

• Seattle is now 15-15-11 against San Jose in MLS play dating back to 2009 when Seattle entered the league.

• With the late equalizer, Albert Rusnák has two goals in MLS play and three in all competitions this season.

• With an assist on Rusnák’s goal, Cristian Roldan has three assists in MLS play on the season, tied with Rusnák for the team lead.

• Jesús Ferreira also recorded an assist on Rusnák’s goal, giving him two in MLS play and four in all competitions in 2025.

• Tonight marked the first match of the 2025 Heritage Cup, a competition played between Seattle and San Jose that honors the two teams that kept their original names dating back to the North American Soccer League. Each club has claimed the title eight times, with San Jose winning the last three years. After tonight’s draw, Seattle can take the 2025 contest with a win vs. San Jose at home on July 19.

• Brian Schmetzer slightly adjusted his lineup from last Saturday’s match against Houston. Defender Nouhou and midfielder Obed Vargas returned from international duty, replacing Jonathan Bell and Danny Leyva, respectively.

• Following Saturday’s matchup, Seattle continues its three-match road swing with a visit to 2025 expansion side San Diego FC on Saturday, April 5 at Snapdragon Stadium (7:30 p.m. PT / Apple TV, El Rey 1360 AM, iHeartMedia Seattle).

MATCH SUMMARY

Seattle Sounders FC 1 – San Jose Earthquakes 1

Saturday, March 29, 2025

Venue: PayPal Park

Referee: Guido Gonzales, Jr.

Assistants: Micheal Barwegen, Gerard-Kader Lebuis

Fourth Official: Mark Badawi

VAR: Michael Radchuk

Attendance: 15,228

Weather: 58 degrees and cloudy

SCORING SUMMARY

SJ – Beau Leroux 32’

SEA – Albert Rusnák (Cristian Roldan, Jesús Ferreira) 80’

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

SJ – Cristian Espinoza (caution) 35’

SJ – Ousseni Bouda (caution) 59’

SEA – Jackson Ragen (caution) 90’+2’

LINEUPS & STATS

Seattle Sounders FC – Stefan Frei; Yeimar, Jackson Ragen, Nouhou; Alex Roldan, Obed Vargas, João Paulo (Danny Musovski 46’), Paul Rothrock (Georgi Minoungou 73’), Cristian Roldan, Albert Rusnák; Jesús Ferreira

Substitutes not used: Andrew Thomas, Cody Baker, Jonathan Bell, Kim Kee-hee, Kalani Kossa-Rienzi, Reed Baker-Whiting, Danny Leyva

Total shots: 26

Shots on goal: 9

Fouls: 13

Offside: 6

Corner-Kicks: 12

Saves: 2

San Jose Earthquakes – Daniel; Bruno Wilson, Dave Romnev, Rodrigues; Reid Roberts (Daniel Munie 73’), Ian Harkes, Cristian Arango, Beau Leroux (Mark-Anthony Kaye 86’), Cristian Espinoza; Preston Judd (Nick Lima 66’), Ousseni Bouda (Josef Martinez 73’)

Substitutes not used: Earl Edwards Jr., Paul Marie, Jack Skahan, Amahl Pellegrino, Jamar Ricketts

Total shots: 9

Shots on goal: 3

Fouls: 18

Offside: 2

Corner-kicks: 4

Saves: 8