The Seattle Sounders are hosting the San Jose Earthquakes on Sunday in the final match of the regular season. Here is everything you need to know.
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is at 1:30 p.m. PT at CenturyLink Field on Sunday (TICKETS).
WHERE TO WATCH: The match will be televised on JOEtv and YouTube TV.
WHERE TO LISTEN: The match will air on 950 KJR AM and in Spanish on El Rey 1360 AM.
2018 RECORDS AND STANDINGS: Sounders: 17-11-5 (56 points, 4th West), Earthquakes: 4-20-9 (21 points, 12th West)
FORM GUIDE (most recent first): Seattle: WWWWL, San Jose: DLLLL
ALL-TIME HISTORY: The Sounders are 9-10-5 all-time against the Earthquakes, include a 7-5-1 record at home.
- PLAYOFF SCENARIOS: Where the Sounders can finish
PREVIOUS MEETING: The Sounders defeated the Earthquakes 1-0 on July 25. Forward Raúl Ruidíaz bagged his first MLS goal in his first start, as he smashed a half-volley to the far post to secure three points on the road. It was the second straight win of what would become a league record nine-match winning streak.
MARATHON MARSHALL: Center back Chad Marshall enters Decision Day with several new milestones under his belt. In the 3-2 win over Houston on Sunday, Marshall logged his 400th MLS appearance while also breaking the 35,000-minute mark. His goal, which handed Seattle a 1-0 lead in the 26th minute, was his fourth of 2018 and 26th regular-season goal of his career. If Marshall scores against San Jose, he’ll set a personal record with five goals in a single campaign.
RED-HOT RUIDÍAZ: In the win over Houston, Seattle’s Peruvian Designated Player tallied his eighth goal from just 13 appearances since signing with the Sounders from Liga MX’s Monarcas Morelia during the Summer Transfer Window. In matches when El Nuevo Nueve scores, the Rave Green are a perfect 6-0-0.
SWEET MEMORIES: The last time the Earthquakes came to town, the Sounders handed their Western Conference opponent a 3-0 drubbing, courtesy of a two-minute Cristian Roldan brace and Kelvin Leerdam’s first MLS goal.
MIDFIELD MAESTRO: It’s impossible to describe Nicolás Lodeiro’s impact on the Sounders since signing in summer 2016. But on Sunday, he set two club records: the most assists in a single season (15) and the most all-time regular-season assists (35). Facing a San Jose side that has conceded 69 goals this season — the third-highest total in MLS history — Seattle’s midfield conductor has an excellent opportunity to add to his already historic stats.
WONDO WATCH: If Earthquakes forward Chris Wondolowski scores on Sunday, he’ll tie Landon Donovan’s all-time MLS record of 145 goals.
(500) SAVES FROM STEFAN: Goalkeeper Stefan Frei, a leading candidate for MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, enters the San Jose match just four saves away from breaking 500 during his time in Seattle.
SEEDING ON THE LINE: Entering Decision Day, the Sounders could finish anywhere from second to fifth place in Western Conference, depending on how other results shakeout around the West.
