The Seattle Sounders are visiting San Jose Earthquakes on Sunday in their first of two meetings in the regular season. Here is everything you need to know:
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is at 4 p.m. PT at PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif.
WHERE TO WATCH: The match will be available to watch on Apple TV.
WHERE TO LISTEN: The match will air on 950 KJR AM and in Spanish on El Rey 1360AM.
2026 MLS STANDINGS: Sounders: 2-1-0 (6 points, 6th West), Earthquakes: 3-0-0 (9 points, 3rd West)
PREVIOUS MEETING: The Sounders defeated the ‘Quakes 3-2 at Lumen Field in Seattle on July 19, 2025, behind a brace from Danny Musovski and a goal from Pedro de la Vega. Preston Judd and Chicho Arango found the back of the net for San Jose.
RIDING HIGH: Seattle enters this weekend buzzing after a massive 3-0 road win over the Vancouver Whitecaps on Thursday in Leg 1 of their Round of 16 series in Concacaf Champions Cup. The Sounders will visit San Jose on Sunday before hosting the ‘Caps in Leg 2 at ONE Spokane Stadium in Spokane, Wash., on Thursday (8 p.m. PT; FS2, TUDN).
ARRIOLA ANNIVERSARY TO REMEMBER: Nearly one year to the day after tearing his ACL, Sounders winger Paul Arriola scored two goals on Thursday in his first start since the injury. His four career goals for Seattle have all come in CCC and he’ll be looking for his first in league play this weekend.
LOPEZ COULD BE POISED FOR FIRST MLS START: Sounders center back Antino Lopez came on for a late cameo against Vancouver and immediately made his impact felt, timing a challenge in the box perfectly to deny a Whitecaps opportunity. Sounders Head Coach Brian Schmetzer hinted postgame that Lopez may get the start in San Jose and that his minutes on Thursday were to get him a taste of game action. Lopez is currently signed with Tacoma Defiance but on a short-term loan with the First Team.
Heritage and History
Heritage Aqua is your front-row seat to the moments and matches that shape a season, loaded with meaning, milestones, and emotion. Be there against Real Salt Lake for the first home match on the new grass pitch installed for the FIFA World Cup, run it back for a 2025 playoff rematch vs. Minnesota, then close with our Fan Appreciation Match vs. LAFC on Decision Day.
FLYING OUT THE GATES: The ‘Quakes are one of just four MLS teams to begin the season with three consecutive wins, a franchise record, and one of just three teams to post three straight clean sheets.
ARENA ATTACKING: San Jose Head Coach Bruce Arena has his attack clicking early, with the Earthquakes’ 7.55 Expected Goals leading the league.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Timo Werner, F
The ‘Quakes made one of the club’s most ambitious moves in recent memory when they signed Werner from RB Leipzig in his native Germany in January. The decorated 30-year-old forward has 153 career goals and 86 assists while also tallying 24 goals in 57 caps for Germany. He represented Germany at the 2018 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2020 and won the UEFA Champions League in 2021 with Chelsea. Werner is still working his way to full match fitness, but he has already recorded two beautiful assists in just 74 combined minutes in his first two San Jose appearances.
