Earthquakes vs. Sounders: Gamethread

Jeremiah Oshan -


LINEUPS: Sota Kitahara replaces the injured Obed Vargas, Cristian Roldan moves to the left for the injured Léo Chú and Dylan Teves moves into the lineup on the right. Yeimar also returns to the starting lineup for Xavier Arreaga.

The Seattle Sounders are not enjoying the start they had anticipated, but they’ll get another shot to correct things when they visit the San Jose Earthquakes, a team that is in a significantly worse run of form.

The Earthquakes are currently 0-4-0, which comes on the heals of a 2023 that ended with a 1-3-6 record over their final 10 regular-season games. Their only win since mid-August of last year was a 2-1 win at home over Real Salt Lake on Sept. 16, 2023. Combined, they are 1-7-6 with a -10 goal-difference in their last 14 regular-season games.

Both teams will be missing several starters. The newest name added to the list of missing Sounders is Obed Vargas, who went into concussion protocol after a collision in Thursday’s training session. Léo Chú is also listed as questionable, but Stefan Frei and Yeimar are likely in line to return to the starting lineup.

Missing Quakes starters are midfielder Carlos Gruezo (international duty) and goalkeeper Daniel (lower body).

Notes

  • This will be the first of two Heritage Cup matches this year. The trophy was first awarded in 2009, but had been lost since 2019 only to be rediscovered earlier this year. Both the Sounders and Quakes are celebrating their 50th anniversaries this season.
  • The Quakes are 3-0-1 in their last four games against the Sounders, who lead the overall series 15-14-9. The Sounders are 4-2-4 all-time at PayPal Park.
  • Raúl Ruidíaz tied Fredy Montero for the Sounders’ all-time scoring record, bagging his 79th goal across all competitions last week.
  • For the fifth week in a row, MLS will be using replacement referees.

Absences: Injury, international duty and suspension

Seattle

OUT: Josh Atencio (suspension); Reed Baker-Whiting (left hamstring); Pedro de la Vega (hamstring); João Paulo (left hip); Braudilio Rodrigues (right hamstring); Obed Vargas (head)

QUESTIONABLE: Albert Rusnák (ankle), Léo Chú (knee)

San Jose

OUT: Carlos Akapo (foot); Michael Baldisimo (international duty); Ousseni Bouda (international duty); Daniel (lower body); Carlos Gruezo (international duty); JT Marcinkowski (knee surgery)

Officials

REF: Gabriele Ciampi; AR1: Clarence Clark; AR2: Race Williams; 4TH: Michael Zapata; VAR: TBD; AVAR: TBD.

Kit matchup

How to Watch

Match date/kickoff time: Saturday, 7:39 PM

Venue: PayPal Park, San Jose, Calif.

Global Streaming English: MLS Season Pass (Mark Rogondino & Heath Pearce)

Global Streaming Spanish: MLS Season Pass (Carlos Mauricio Ramírez & Maximiliano Cordaro)

Local Radio: 950 KJR-AM Seattle, iHeartMedia (Danny Jackson & Brad Evans)

Local Spanish Radio: El Rey 1360 AM (Rodriguez, Maqueda, Tapia)

Is this game available to stream for free? No

Will Sounders radio be available as an alternate feed? No

Lineups

Highlights will be posted as the match progresses.

This is Seattle Sounders at San Jose Earthquakes; watch with us

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