For the first time since entering Major League Soccer in 2009, the Seattle Sounders head into Decision Day on Sunday eliminated from postseason contention.
It’s an unfamiliar circumstance for a team filled with players who are accustomed to competing for MLS Cup every season. With Sunday’s contest against the San Jose Earthquakes (2:18 p.m. PT; FOX 13+, Prime Video, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360AM | TICKETS) having no meaningful impact on the standings, it would be easy to write it off as a dead rubber match.
However, players and staff are adamant that this match carries added significance as they look to end the campaign on a high note and prepare to bounce back in 2023.
“It’s the last game of the season at home in front of our fans that have been supportive throughout the whole season,” said midfielder Albert Rusnák. “Through the ups and downs, they always showed up. We owe them a good performance and three points from a home game.”
Goalkeeper Stefan Frei echoed those sentiments, noting that they won’t even conducting any postmortems on the season until after this Sunday to treat the San Jose match with the utmost respect.
“The main focus is that we’re going to go out there and work our butts off for 90+ minutes,” said Frei. “We’re going to put it all out there for the fans and make it an enjoyable game for one more game in our stadium.”
FAN APPRECIATION MATCH
You won't want to miss our final home match of the season today! We host the San Jose Earthquakes in a day filled with exclusive giveaways, prizes, musical performances and more.
In addition to putting on a show for supporters one last time on the Emerald Queen Casino Pitch at Lumen Field this weekend, the players and staff are viewing this match as an opportunity to set the tone for 2023.
“We’re going to put out a competitive team,” said Head Coach Brian Schmetzer. “Each player that steps onto that field for themselves, for their teammates, and for the fans that come support them, they will work and they will compete. If they don’t, they will come and sit down next to me.”
As the final match of the 2022 season, Sunday also marks the club’s Fan Appreciation Day. Filled with giveaways, prizes, player traditions and more, it’s celebration of the supporters whose unrelenting passion defines the ethos of the club.
“This club is the relationship between the players and the fans,” added Schmetzer. “That’s what makes this a club. That’s what I believe.”
