With its huge crowds, noisy acoustics, slick turf and talented home side, CenturyLink Field routinely overwhelms visiting teams.
But not the San Jose Earthquakes, who beat the Seattle Sounders 2-0 on Saturday to take six points from their two visits to C-Link this season and continue a dominant history that's seen them win eight of their last 11 meetings with the defending Supporters' Shield holders.
Perhaps it's because the Quakes have ex-Sounders Cordell Cato and Sanna Nyassi on their squad, both of whom were integral to Saturday's win.
“It definitely felt good. Last time I played here against them I had an assist as well,” said Cato, who set up Matias Perez Garcia for the game-clinching strike. “I'm keeping up a reputation.
“The atmosphere here, the people are generally nice, so it's always good to come here and play. And when you win, it's even better.”
Nyassi gave the visitors a first-half lead when he latched on to a Perez Garcia pass and struck a stunning blast into the top corner in the 28th minute. Quakes coach Dominic Kinnear said that early breakthrough was crucial against a rejiggered Sounders lineup shorn of its three Designated Players: Clint Dempsey, Obafemi Martins and Osvaldo Alonso.
“Defensively I thought we were strong – obviously Seattle's missing some good players, we understand that – as are we,” said Kinnear postgame. “But just for us, scoring the first goal was really important for us today, coming in at halftime with the lead. And I thought our determination in the last 45 was important.”
As Nyassi put it: “It changed everything.”
The Gambian chalked up San Jose's success against Seattle as a matter of preparation and motivation.
“I think it's all about respecting them as opponents,” said Nyassi. “We know they are a really good team so we are prepared for them whenever we play them: Match their intensity, stay disciplined defensively, beat them on the counterattacks and make sure we capitalize on our chances.”
They had to soak up plenty of pressure from the Sounders throughout the afternoon, which made Perez Garcia's goal – his long-awaited first of the season, capping a quick Quakes transition from defense to attack – particularly useful, beyond its highlight-reel qualities.
“Matias' goal was beautiful,” said Kinnear, who noted that his side are eager to haul themselves back into the Western Conference playoff picture. “Good clearance by Clarence [Goodson], and then Cordell maybe gets lost in the shuffle there, but I thought his run to get up the field and get us some territory was really important. And then obviously Matias in close spaces was fantastic.”
Perez Garcia's quick feet left several Sounders grasping at air, and his left-footed finish past Stefan Frei into the top corner was clinical.
“I maneuvered around one guy, I got into the box – I knew they couldn't touch me – so I put it on my good foot and I was able to finish it,” he said afterwards. “Of course I'm happy that I got that goal. I knew if I stayed calm, that the goal would come, and thankfully today it came. We won the game and I got to score a goal – it was a great day for us.
“We're excited, we'll move forward and hopefully that can continue.”
