San Jose Slip at Home Late Putting Playoff Hopes in Danger

The Seattle Sounders found a late winner deep into stoppage time to beat the Earthquakes 1-0 at the Avaya Stadium Sunday afternoon. With the loss, a major blow has been dealt to San Jose’s playoff chances. The Earthquakes now are in a must-win situation in their final game against the Portland Timbers and must also hope other match results around the league fall in their favor. In other words, San Jose is in a rough spot. Seattle, on the other hand, moves into 3rd place in the Western Conference and solidifies home field in the playoffs. 

The only goal of the match was scored by Jordan Morris in the dying embers of the game. San Jose’s Magnus Eriksson gifted the opportunity to Seattle after heading the ball toward his own goal. Morris was quick to react as he beat Florian Jungwirth for pace and chipped the ball up over Daniel Vega. The goal would come in the 94th minute making it too late for the Quakes to respond. 

The game overall was a grind out affair as the scoreline remained 0-0 for the majority of the game and both teams received red cards in the process.  San Jose defender Tommy Thompson would get sent off in the 56th minute after stomping on Xavier Arreaga. Come the 71st minute, Arreaga would also be sent off after getting another yellow card for fouling Danny Hoesen close to the Sounders’ box. 

Matías Almeyda now must rally his team after a disappointing spell of results in order to reach the playoffs. San Jose’s season finale is Sunday away against the Portland Timbers where it is do or die for the black and blue. Seattle face 2nd seated Minnesota at Century Link Field.