Seattle's Disappointing Start Faces San Jose's Winless Woes

In a showdown of early-season underachievers, the Seattle Sounders will travel to face the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, with both clubs desperate to kickstart stalling campaigns with a much-needed win.

The Sounders, who finished as runners-up in the Western Conference last year, have floundered out of the gates in 2023. Through three matches, they’ve mustered just two points from a pair of draws, leaving them stuck in 13th place and already six points adrift of the playoff positions.

“It’s been a missed opportunity in the first three games,” admitted Seattle midfielder Cristian Roldan. “To only have two points is frustrating.”

While the Sounders’ typically stout defense has held reasonably firm, conceding three goals, their attack has misfired badly. Seattle has found the net just twice, providing little support for veteran striker Raúl Ruidíaz, who sits one goal shy of the club’s all-time scoring record across all competitions.

“We want to be aggressive there, set the tone,” said young midfielder Danny Leyva. “Play our game, be in control of the game. I think that’s kind of been the key things we’ve talked about this week—to impose ourselves and on the attacking side, be able to create chances and be a little more dangerous.”

If ever there was an opportune time to regain their scoring touch, it’s against the Earthquakes’ beleaguered backline. San Jose has already shipped nine goals, the most in the Western Conference and tied for third-worst in MLS. Only winless New England has fared poorer defensively among the league’s 28 clubs.

“No one is happy with the current standings or form,” conceded Earthquakes coach Luchi Gonzalez, “but, at the same time, it’s about what we’re going to do next.”

With an 0-4-0 record leaving them at the foot of the Western table, San Jose’s start could scarcely have gone worse. Their attack has been toothless, too, netting three times—a frustrating return considering winger Cristian Espinoza bagged 13 goals last term to lead the team’s scoring charts.

For the Earthquakes, however, Sounders’ visits have tended to bring out the best in recent years. San Jose is 6-5-5 all-time at home against Seattle, including a 3-0 aggregate scoreline from the two meetings last season.

“It’s about showing up Saturday and giving each other everything we’ve got,” Gonzalez stated, aware his side must improve swiftly to avoid an early playoff charge becoming a lost cause. “We know we will turn this around with continued belief and hard work.”

While both clubs have opened 2023 well below expectations, the Sounders’ superior quality should ultimately shine through against the Earthquakes’ struggling squad. But for two proud franchises, nothing short of three points will constitute an acceptable outcome from this potential season re-setter.