San Jose Earthquakes vs. Seattle Sounders FC | 2020 MLS Match Preview

2020 MLS Regular Season – Week 19
San Jose Earthquakes vs. Seattle Sounders FC
Earthquakes Stadium – San Jose
October 18 – 10:30 PM ET

STREAMING: MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US; on DAZN in Canada

LOCAL TV: NBC Sports California, JOEtv, Amazon Prime Video [SEA region only]

After four wins in their last five games, the San Jose Earthquakes take a step up in class when they host a rested Seattle Sounders squad that is first place in the West at Earthquakes Stadium Sunday night. 

The Quakes (6W-7L-5D) have moved up to seventh in the Western Conference following a decisive 4-0 Cali Clasico win over the LA Galaxy, while the Sounders fell to LAFC 3-1 in their last game Oct. 11. 

This is the third meeting this year with the Sounders setting an MLS record by scoring five goals in just 33 minutes en route to a 7-1 rout at CenturyLink Field Sept. 10 after the teams played to a 0-0 draw at the MLS is Back Tournament on July 10. 

San Jose Earthquakes

Nick Lima scored late in each half with goals by Andres Rios and Tommy Thompson sandwiched between as the 'Quakes cruised to a 4-0 Clasico win Wednesday night at Dignity Heath Sports Park. It was San Jose's second consecutive win over the Galaxy with LA winning just one of the four regular season meetings. 

“I’m the same as when we were losing. Calm, being conscious of our day to day. Today’s difference from those days is that I’m really happy. But the happiness only lasts until tomorrow," Matias Almeyda said matter-of-factly after the match. "Tomorrow we get back to work and prepare for what’s to come. We are going game after game. The only thing that interests me is that after our negative situation, we stuck to our game, doubled down and got out of that place. I am really happy for the players and everyone who works for the San Jose Earthquakes. Most of all, I am happy for the fans because we were able to give them joy of winning a derby during a pandemic.”

• Updated team roster
• Injury Report:
  • OUT: Danny Hoesen (F) - core muscles injury
• Suspended: None
• Suspended after next caution: None
• International duty:  None

Seattle Sounders FC

Raul Ruidiaz remains in quarantine in Peru following his positive COVID-19 test while on international duty with the Peruvian national team. 

"So far he is asymptomatic. Hopefully it will remain that way," Sounders GM Garth Lagerwey told reporters. "The Peruvian federation follows the same quarantine as MLS and the same rehab protocol, so he'll be in isolation in Peru for a period of time. If he comes through that period and is still asymptomatic then he will be deemed to be no longer infectious and will be permitted to travel at which point he would fly back to Seattle. Then our doctors have to look at him, if he passes all the screens on the Seattle end then he would immediately be able to play.

"So we we anticipate that he will be eligible — if all goes well, if all goes to plan, if he remains healthy — that he will be able to play on October 27. As of this moment, and I stress this is 2020, this is COVID-land, every day seems to take a week, things always change — but as of this moment, that is the plan with Raul Ruidiaz."

Meanwhile, the Sounders have reportedly reached out to Besiktas to inquire about the status of Canadian national team forward Cyle Larin, the former MLS Rookie of the Year with Orlando City SC.

• Updated team roster
• Injury Report:
  • OUT: Joevin Jones (M) - right high ankle sprain
  • OUT: Trey Muse (GK) - concussion
• Suspended: None
• Suspended after next caution: Joao Paulo (M)
• International duty:  None

Series Matchup at Earthquakes

• Earthquakes: 5 wins, 14 goals
• Sounders: 3 wins, 9 goals
• 4 draws

Officials

• Referee: Kevin Stott
• Assistant Referees: Jeremy Hanson, TJ Zablocki
• 4th Official: Michael Radchuk
• VAR: Daniel Radford