Almost as much as the Seattle Sounders wanted a positive result in their Decision Day match, they were looking for a return to earlier season form. After a sluggish first half, they broke out in a big way during the final 45 minutes. The Sounders scored four second-half goals to beat the San Jose Earthquakes 4-1 and take second in the Western Conference.
MATCH SUMMARY
Seattle Sounders FC 4 – San Jose Earthquakes 1
Sunday, November 8, 2020
Venue: CenturyLink Field
Referee: Jair Marrufo
Assistants: Jason White, Jeff Hosking
Fourth Official: Ramy Touchan
VAR: Jon Freemon
Attendance: Closed Door
Weather: 47 degrees and clear
SCORING SUMMARY
SEA – Nicolás Lodeiro 52’
SEA – Raúl Ruidíaz (Cristian Roldan) 54’
SJ – Marcos López 57’
SEA – Jordan Morris (Nicolás Lodeiro) 74’
SEA – Marcos López (OG) 80’
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
None
LINEUPS & STATS
Seattle Sounders FC – Stefan Frei; Kelvin Leerdam (Jordy Delem 81’), Yeimar Gómez Andrade, Xavier Arreaga, Nouhou (Alex Roldan 65’); Cristian Roldan, João Paulo (Josh Atencio 90’), Joevin Jones (Jimmy Medranda 82’), Nicolás Lodeiro, Jordan Morris (Shandon Hopeau 90’); Raúl Ruidíaz
Substitutes not used: Stefan Cleveland, Román Torres, Danny Leyva, Will Bruin
Total shots: 10 (Ruidiaz, 3)
Shots on goal: 6 (Lodeiro/Morris, 2)
Fouls: 7 (Arreaga, 2)
Offside: 1 (Lodeiro, 1)
Corner-kicks: 4 (Lodeiro, 4)
Saves: 2 (Frei, 2)
San Jose Earthquakes – James Marcinkowski; Nick Lima (Tommy Thompson 59’), Florian Jungwirth, Oswaldo Alanis, Marcos López (Paul Marie 82’); Judson, Cristian Espinoza (Siad Haji 59’), Felipe (Eric Calvillo 59’), Shea Salinas, Cade Cowell; Chris Wondolowski
Substitutes not used: Daniel Vega, Jacob Akanyirige, Tanner Beason, Jack Skahan, Gilbert Fuentes
Total shots: 5 (Five players, 1)
Shots on goal: 3 (Three players, 1)
Fouls: 12 (Cowell/Judson, 3)
Offside: 0
Corner-kicks: 4 (Calvillo, 2)
Saves: 2 (Marcinkowski, 2)
POST-MATCH QUOTES & SOUNDBYTES: SOUNDERS FC 4 – SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES 1
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2020
CENTURYLINK FIELD – SEATTLE, WA
SOUNDERS FC HEAD COACH BRIAN SCHMETZER – LINK TO SOUNDBYTES
On the overall feeling of the season:
“Obviously this is a shortened season so you have a few more chances to go either way. 2020 hasn’t been anywhere close to normal; I think this one, you’re certainly going to reflect on it because you always do that, you always reflect what you can do better, what achievements you accomplished, how did you make those things happen. I think the four goals tonight was just what we needed. You know, we had spoken, I had spoken with you guys earlier in the week about you know just having the team put on a good performance in building a little bit of momentum into the playoffs and I think we accomplished that. I think that’s one mini, micro-ecosystem that we actually get accomplished tonight. I think Jordan [Morris] getting a goal was good for him, his confidence. Raúl [Ruidíaz] scoring, Nico [Lodeiro] scoring, doing all the thing he normally does. You know Jordan’s effort on the last goal, you know putting San Jose under immense pressure, Raúl inside the box for the own goal. I mean I was very happy that the big players were able to contribute to the scoreline. And then you know, we had a decent performance defensively, certainly will take a look at the goal but you know sometimes those things happen.”
SOUNDERS FC MIDFIELDER NICOLÁS LODEIRO – LINK TO SOUNDBYTES
On how he gets ready for big games like this one:
“Yes, this has been a very hard season and also a strange season. We are aware and we know that as we get close to the playoffs every game becomes a final and every game becomes a very important game and I think that the team unconsciously starts playing in a higher gear so that we can be at the level of those types of games that are towards the end of the season. So we unconsciously get ready and get prepared to be at [our] top performance towards the end.”
SOUNDERS FC MIDFIELDER CRISTIAN ROLDAN – LINK TO SOUNDBYTES
On facing LAFC in the opening round of the playoffs:
“I think we expect a tough opponent; they’re certainly not a seventh seed in our eyes. You know, we have to respect them as well as play them without fear and I think with those two characteristics that we have we can take them on. It’s going to be a tough game. We can’t be complacent initially in the game. You know, it’s playoff time, we need big players to reach that next level and I think great teams go from a good regular-season team to a great playoff team. We need that extra level from the whole team so that’s extremely important. But LAFC is an extremely tough opponent and we aren’t going to take them lightly.”