Seattle were hoping to make it three out of three at home to start the season but faced a tough test against a San Jose team coming off the back of a big 3-0 away against Toronto FC. The Sounders had an early chance to break the deadlock after a ball was whipped in by Alonso and met by the soaring Montero, who could only guide it just over the bar.
But it was the Earthquakes who made the first real attempt on goal after some great build up play from Beitashour, his cross found its way through to the back post where Lenhart forced a smart save out of Gspurning, who then had to smother the loose ball before Wondolowski could pounce on it.
The deadlock was then broken after some dubious refereeing saw Lenhart’s dive award San Jose a PK. In an off the ball incident, Lenhart and Burch collided and the referee didn’t hesitate in pointing to the spot. This didn’t stop Wondolowski who slotted the ball home for his fourth goal of the season.
San Jose started to pile on the pressure with some great attacking plays but were unable to add to their advantage. Seattle came close to an equaliser with two headed chances, the first from Alonso who managed to force a smart save out of Earthquakes keeper Jon Busch and the second from Montero after a cross from Estrada managed to lure Busch out of his goal and the skimmed header just dropped the wrong side of the post.
After the half time break the Sounders came out firing and the in form striker Estrada managed to force a diving save as his shot from outside the area was parried away. But San Jose wanted to add to their lead and nearly did as one attack broke down in the area. Cronin picked up a sloppy ball and burst into the area only to see his fizzing shot just run past the far post.
Seattle then had one of the best chances to equalize but were denied by a great double save from Busch, as a free kick was whipped in Montero managed to get a flick on the ball and Busch managed to parry it away, only to see the ball at the edge of the area with Scott fired back in on goal, but was easily collected.
San Jose must have thought they had closed the game out when after a counter attack, the ball dropped kindly to Wondolowski inside the area but he could only toe poke it back to Gspurning for an easy pick.
With the game late on, Sounders were pushing for an equaliser and thought they had it when after a good one-two Montero hit a fierce shot and Busch, who has to be my man of the match, managed to dive away to his right and keep out the shot to hold on to the away win at CenturyLink Field.
Seattle will be hoping to bounce back from the defeat to San Jose against DC United in a tough away fixture next week, as DC United are flying high after a strong 4-1 win against FC Dallas.
(image courtesy of Getty Images)
