Earthquakes edge Sounders for first win of season

Updated: Mar 24, 2024, 05:12 am

Jeremy Ebobisse broke a tie late in the second half to lift the San Jose Earthquakes to their first win of the season, 3-2, against the visiting Seattle Sounders on Saturday.

Vitor Costa de Brito and Cristian Espinoza also scored for the Earthquakes (1-4-0, 3 points).

Raul Ruidiaz and Danny Musovski tallied for the Sounders (0-2-2, 2 points).

Both sides struggled to generate much offense early but found opportunities as the opening half progressed.

In the eighth minute, a header by Seattle's Danny Leyva off a corner went just wide. A minute later, San Jose forward Preston Judd's attempt from outside the box was snared by goalkeeper Stefan Frei. In the 23rd minute, Judd got his left foot on the ball for another chance from the edge of the 18, but it rolled wide of the left post.

Raul Ruidiaz had a chance in the 28th minute from outside the box that forced goalkeeper William Yarbrough to jump for the save. The Earthquakes goalkeeper had to be sharp again in the 34th minute, coming off his line to the edge of the goal area to deny Jordan Morris in front.

San Jose took a 1-0 lead in the 42nd minute. Midfielder Jackson Yueill's shot from outside the box rolled off the back of teammate Bruno Wilson toward the goal area, where an oncoming Costa de Brito got his foot on it to put it into the net.

Espinoza made it 2-0 a minute later. Frei got his hand on a shot by Judd, but the rebound rolled to the top of the goal area for Espinoza to pot it before Frei could get back on his line.

The offside flag went up on the play, but the goal stood after video review.

Ruidiaz converted on a penalty in the 72nd minute to cut it to 2-1. The goal was his 80th in a Sounders jersey across all competitions, moving him past former teammate Fredy Montero for most in club history.

Musovski brought Seattle level in the 81st minute, connecting on a header off a cross from Cody Baker.

Ebobisse, fresh off the bench, quickly restored the lead, sliding at the top of the goal area to get his foot on a feed from Jack Skahan and send it past Frei in the 82nd minute.

--Field Level Media