Score: Sounders FC 1 vs. San Jose Earthquakes 1
Site: CenturyLink Field
Records: Sounders FC (13-7-3, 42 points). San Jose Earthquakes (6-9-7, 25 points).
Man of the Match: Chad Barrett gave Seattle a 1-0 lead in the 46th minute for his sixth goal of the season and 50th in his MLS career. After a first half that saw Seattle shoot 12 times, it was a refreshing change for the Sounders to get into space and put one away early in the second half. Barrett now has goals in two straight MLS matches and three straight overall with his goal in the semifinal of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
Telling Stat: San Jose blocked 12 shots from the Sounders, which is telling of the long-range shots Seattle attempted and the propensity for the Earthquakes to pack the box with defenders. Barrett’s goal pulled them out a bit, but only until Chris Wondolowski scored the equalizer in the 66th minute.
What You Missed: The crowd of 38,909 at the match marked the 100th consecutive sellout for Sounders FC in MLS regular-season and postseason play. The club has set new league attendance marks in each of its five previous seasons and is on track to do it again in 2014.
So What: Seattle moves back into first place in the Supporters’ Shield standings. Sounders FC has matched the 42 points of Real Salt Lake and Sporting Kansas City, but with 13 wins, owns the first tiebreaker. The Sounders will next face the Portland Timbers on Sunday at Providence Park with a chance to also take the lead in the Cascadia Cup series.
