Seattle Sounders will go in search of a third straight Major League Soccer victory when the San Jose Earthquakes come visiting Lumen Field on Thursday.
While the away side have endured a rough campaign to date, they head to Seattle with the opportunity to complete a league double over their hosts after a 3-2 triumph in the reverse meeting.
Match preview
© Imago
Fresh from their joint-biggest win of the season, Seattle Sounders continued their recent resurgence with a comfortable 2-0 triumph over Sporting Kansas City in Monday's meeting between the sides.
Brian Schmetzer's men were rewarded for their blistering start to the game through Jackson Ragen's early opener before Paul Rothrock grabbed the clincher five minutes before the half-time whistle.
As a result, the Rave Greens have now won consecutive league games for the first time since July to retain fifth place in the Western Conference of the MLS table, nine points adrift of top spot.
Seattle Sounders also boast the best defensive record in the division having let in 32 goals, but there is still work to do at the top end of the pitch, with their tally of 43 strikes bettered by as many as nine teams in the west.
Nonetheless, Thursday's hosts will head into the final stretch of the regular season on a high, although the first of their five remaining games comes against an opposing side unbeaten in this fixture since 2021.
© Imago
San Jose Earthquakes have endured a disappointing campaign to date and are the only team in the MLS already mathematically out of playoff contention as things stand.
A 2-0 defeat to the Vancouver Whitecaps last time out was a 21st loss in 28 outings for Ian Russell's men, who have only won five league games all-season long—the most recent of which came against Real Salt Lake on August 25.
The Goonies have also been underwhelming in cup competitions having suffered round-of-16 exits in both the US Open Cup and League Cups to Sacramento Republic and Los Angeles FC respectively.
While that now seems a long time ago, the Goonies did pick up their first win of the season against Seattle, ending a four-game losing streak off the back of defeats to Dallas, LA Galaxy, Vancouver Whitecaps and Sporting Kansas City.
With little to play for in Thursday's contest—as it has been for some time now—the visitors will set out looking to end their abysmal record on the road with eight defeats from their last 10 outings.
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Team News
Raul Ruidiaz remains out of contention for Seattle Sounders with a knee problem, and the forward is joined on the treatment table by Joao Paulo.
Goalkeeper Stefan Frei made a speedy return to action last time out after missing the hosts' 4-0 victory against Columbus Crew with a head injury.
American trio Jeremy Ebobisse, JT Marcinkowski and Daniel Munie will not feature in this one due to respective injuries, but Carlos Akapo is available for San Jose Earthquakes once again.
Bruno Wilson also misses out for the away side due to a muscle problem, while 22-year-old Jamar Ricketts is not fit enough to play any part here.
Seattle Sounders possible starting lineup:
Frei; Baker-Whiting, Ragen, Gomez, A Roldan; C Roldan, Vargas; Rothrock, Rusnak, Minoungou; Morris
San Jose Earthquakes possible starting lineup:
Daniel; Beason, Rodrigues, Akapo; Marie, Yueill, Tsakiris, Kikanovic; Lopez, Judd, Espinoza
We say: Seattle Sounders 3-1 San Jose Earthquakes
Seattle Sounders are flying at the moment, while San Jose Earthquakes have shown no signs of a much-needed renaissance, and we fully expect the home team to emerge victorious in the end.
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Adepoju Marvellous
