San Jose Earthquakes kept their MLS playoff hopes alive with a 1-0 home win over Seattle Sounders.
The home side started well and Michael Gspuring had to be alert early on to stop Walter Martinez's overhead kick from finding the net as the keeper got down low to make the save.
Gspurning was called into action moments later to deny Alan Gordon as his header looked destined for the bottom corner, but the keeper went low to his right to gather the ball.
After the break San Jose finally broke the deadlock when Martinez picked up a loose ball in the penalty area and sidestepped his man before curling an effort into the top corner.
Steven Lenhart nearly doubled the Earthquakes' lead but he was denied by substitute keeper Andrew Webber as he rushed out and managed to divert the ball over the bar.
Seattle tried to get back into the game late on but their push was halted when they were reduced to 10 men, as Osvaldo Alonso was sent off for a push on Dan Gargan.
Simon Sinclair
