It wasn’t the worst-case scenario for the San Jose Earthquakes, but it was close.
The Quakes continued their slide down the Western Conference table with a 1-0 loss to the Seattle Sounders, their fifth consecutive defeat. However, other favorable results around the league kept the Quakes in control of their playoff fate heading into the final match of the regular season.
That didn’t diminish the sense of disappointment at Avaya Stadium after Jordan Morris netted Seattle’s ninety-fourth-minute clincher.
The Quakes had approached the match as a must-win, fielding their most attacking-oriented lineup of the season. Coach Matias Almeyda replaced suspended defensive-midfielder Judson with forward Danny Hoesen, signaling his bold (if risky) intent to take all or nothing.
San Jose were also aided by the return of attacking threats Chris Wondolowski and Cristian Espinoza, who immediately announced their presence with a series of attacking forays down the right-wing. In the third minute, Danny Hoesen flicked a header wide from Espinoza’s cross, and Wondo deflected an Espinoza shot on target shortly thereafter.
However much the Quakes controlled possession, Seattle remained a constant threat on the breakaway. Morris offered a glimpse of his dangerous pace in the twelfth minute, running in behind the Quakes defense and forcing a fantastic kick-save from Daniel Vega.
Yet Seattle were more than content to sit back and wait for these moments. The pressure to push the envelope was on the Quakes.
The home side had their chances — a gorgeous curler from Magnus Eriksson stands out — but by and large they couldn’t break Seattle’s disciplined defensive wall.
Ironically, it was only after a red card to Tommy Thompson that the space unclogged. Thompson’s offense was most bull-headed, a completely unprovoked stamp on Xavier Arreaga, but its effects weren’t as catastrophic for the Quakes as expected. Actually, it sent a bolt of energy through Avaya Stadium that catalyzed San Jose’s offense.
Center-back Guram Kashia rattled the woodwork with a blistering effort from long distance, and Florian Jungwirth nearly netted a spectacular over-head kick from a set-piece.
A red card to Seattle defender Arreaga gave San Jose another boost, and Hoesen struck the post with the resulting free-kick.
San Jose never really looked like they would lose until the very death when Morris pounced on a loose ball in the midfield and sped in behind to convert a neat lobbed finish.
For all the promise the Quakes have shown this season, it was a most frustrating finish to their last home match of the year.