Sounders at San Jose Earthquakes, recap: Nico Lodeiro’s golazo offset by Wondo’s late equalizer

If there is a lesson from the 1-1 draw between the San Jose Earthquakes and the Seattle Sounders it is that one must always mark Chris Wondolowski. In MLS the man just scores goals. Today, he ended a match after Seattle looked likely to win. Wondo’s eleventh goal against the Sounders was a pure example of the former MVP’s art.

For a few moments this match looked like it would end 1-nil and a Sounders win. Lodeiro’s goal was his best moment of a match where he struggled to find the right pass.

Seattle couldn’t hold that lead. The inability to track Wondo in the 6-yard box resulted in goal at 90’.

Shortly prior to Wondolowski’s goal, the Sounders were on the break with the ball at Lodeiro’s feet. With Joevin Jones open in the left corner of the 18 Nico took a shot from about 27 yards out. That was the last clear opportunity for the Sounders.

If Roman Torres thinks Avaya Stadium is cursed, he may be right. The centerback blew his ACL there in 2015 and tonight needed to be subbed off in the 15th minute due to tightness in his thigh. Gustav Svensson replaced Torres and was more than serviceable.

San Jose put an early stamp on the game with physical play. Most of that lay at the feet of Anibal Godoy, but it was certainly a group effort. Godoy finished the night with six fouls and a yellow card that was not for persistent infringement, but for a unsporting behavior. The Earthquakes finished with 18 fouls to Seattle’s six.

Clint Dempsey and Lodeiro were the only Sounders that gave signals that they would return the physical play. Dempsey fought through screen and lowered his shoulder into David Bingham, knocking the keeper to the ground with sore chest. Lodeiro earned his 45+1’ minute yellow card with a late tackle from poor angle.

The draw and other results on the day push Seattle to 6th in the West, with San Jose picking up a spot to 4th. One or both of Colorado and Kansas City will pass the Sounders at the completion of their Sunday night match.