Sounders v San Jose Earthquakes - Gamethread

For the Seattle Sounders to attempt a run at the Supporters' Shield three points are essential tonight. To get those points they will be without leading scorer Eddie Johnson and instead leaning on Sammy Ochoa. The San Jose Earthquakes are not significantly weakened, in fact they may be getting better as Opara works his way into the regular starting lineup. Tonight should be a game of pace, the ‘Quakes play a high tempo game (measured by total shots per match), but are also prone to fouls in dangerous areas.

Seattle will have to be on their best behavior. Lenhart has a history of getting underneath the skin of defenders, but he isn't the only frustrating fellow at forward. MLS defenders also struggle to track where Wondo is, or what exactly Alan Gordon is trying to do. There is also the small issue of how San Jose scores goals late - in fact their goal total from the 60^th minute on is more than five MLS teams. The Sounders don't need to go a full 90, they need to go whistle to whistle.

There will be opportunities in tight spaces for Seattle. The ‘Quakes have allow 20% of goals against inside the six. Seattle only allows 14% of the same. This means it is Sammy Ochoa time. His activity in tight spaces this year has been great. His barely missed bicycle kick is just one example, but is certainly not his only success. Both teams are quite good at scoring with their heads and in their set-piece work.

With a high pace and effective set-play work either team could come out ahead, though the Sounders are statistical underdogs. Still, home field is a powerful factor in MLS and the Earthquakes give up more than a goal a game while on the road.

The broadcast is on KONG 6/16 and 97.3 FM at 7:30 PM Pacific.

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Officials

REFEREE: Hilario Grajeda - MLS Career: 73 games; FC/gm: 24.5; Y/gm: 3.6; R: 14; pens: 11
AR1 (bench): Frank Anderson; AR2 (opposite): Fabio Tovar; 4th: Mark Declouet

SUSPENDED: SEA: Eddie Johnson (caution accumulation; through Sept. 23)
WARNINGS: Next Yellow Card: SEA: Fredy Montero SJ: Rafael Baca, Ramiro Corrales

Team Statistics Matchups

Tactical Keys

• Eyes on Wondo
• Don't Take The Bait
• Full 90 +
• Feed Sammy

Player Matchups

• Fredy Montero v Ike Opara
• Osvaldo Alonso v Chris Wondolowski
• Sammy Ochoa v Jon Busch

Lineups

Seattle

Bench: Weber, Burch, Hurtado, Scott, Rose, Martinez, Estrada

San Jose

Bench: Bingham, Corrales, Lenhart, Opara, Ring, Stephenson, Zayner

How We're Watching
Beverage: Water
Scarf: None
Kit: None
Where I'm Watching: Press Box

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