Everything you need to know for Sounders-Earthquakes

The Seattle Sounders can move all the way up to second-place in the Western Conference with a win over the San Jose Earthquakes tonight. To do that, they’d also need LAFC to lose at home to Austin FC, Real Salt Lake to drop points at home to FC Dallas, and the Colorado Rapids to drop points on the road against Sporting KC.

Unlikely as those scenarios are to all come to pass, it does underscore how tight the Western Conference is as the Sounders head into the final five matches of the regular season.

Here’s what you need to know:

Availability news

San Jose Earthquakes

OUT: Michael Baldisimo - Lower Body; Vítor Costa - Lower Body; Benji Kikanović - Lower Body; JT Marcinkowski – Lower Body; Will Richmond - Lower Body; Jamar Ricketts - Lower Body; Jack Skahan - Not Due to Injury; Bruno Wilson - Lower Body

QUESTIONABLE: Preston Judd – Upper Body

Seattle Sounders FC

OUT: João Paulo - Calf

QUESTIONABLE: Léo Chú - Adductor

Stats to look smart

The Sounders have quietly become one of the top teams in MLS over the last few months. No team in the league has more points than their 28 since losing to Sporting KC on June 8. The Sounders have moved up five spots in the standings in that time.
Although their defense has improved somewhat, the Earthquakes are on pace to allow 79 goals this season. That would set a MLS record, which is currently held by the 2019 FC Cincinnati team that allowed 75.

Tactics to impress

Although Matias Almeyda is long gone, the DNA of how he plays can still be seen in the way the Earthquakes attack. Their average of 3.25 passes per attacking sequence, the speed with which they progress the ball and their preference for direct attacks as opposed to slow buildups are all hallmarks of a team that wants to get into transition. Slow them down and they are basically punchless.
It’s not quite where it was at the start of last year, but the Sounders are showing signs of reviving the “High Life Soccer” style that seemed to be their preferred identity. They’ve been pressing more effectively and getting into transition opportunities more over the last few games. The Earthquakes don’t really want the ball (they’re last in average possession) which means the Sounders will likely have to press hard to create space.