It wasn't for lack of chances, but the San Jose Earthquakes and Seattle Sounders finished their Group B opener at the MLS is Back Tournament in Orlando in a 0-0 deadlock on Friday.
San Jose dominated possession throughout the first half, and found a handful good looks on goal, but either saw them trickle wide or get denied by Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei each time. Seattle, meanwhile, had perhaps its best look of the first half in the 28th minute when midfielder Cristian Roldan got behind the Quakes' back line and fired a shot that was saved by San Jose 'keeper Daniel Vega, who put in a solid overall performance of his own between the posts.
San Jose nearly broke through in the 70th minute off a distance shot from Jackson Yueill that took a deflection and appeared bound for goal, but Frei came through again with a highlight-reel diving save to preserve the scoreless deadlock.
Seattle nearly found a late go-ahead goal in the 84th minute after Raul Ruidaz found himself with an open look off a cross from Kelvin Leerdam, but the Peruvian couldn't quite get his shot past a charging Vega, and the match finished scoreless.
Goals
- None
Man of the Match presented by Heineken
Seattle very well could have found themselves taking no points in this one if not for Frei's heroics. The veteran goalkeeper has long been one of the steadiest in MLS, and put in another standout shift in his team's first game back.
Three Things
- THE BIG PICTURE: The Quakes were the underdog coming into the match, and have plenty of positives to build on, but they'll likely feel disappointed not to have taken all three points given how they dictated most of the game. Seattle absorbed a lot of pressure, but they had their chances too, so the hope will be the finishing touch will come with time as they knock off the rust.
- MOMENT OF THE MATCH: Frei's 70th-minute denial on Yueill was one of the best highlights of the match, and might have rescued Seattle from opening tournament play with a disappointing defeat.
- YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED: There have now been four games since MLS resumed, none of which have featured a goal in the first half, with Orlando City SC the only team scoring more than once. It's understandable, considering the lengthy layoff as teams try to reestablish their fitness and sharpness, so expect that trend to change as we get deeper into the tournament.
Next Up
- SEA: Tuesday, July 14 vs. Chicago Fire FC (9 am ET | ESPN in US; TSN in Canada)
- SJ: Wednesday, July 15 vs. Vancouver Whitecaps (10:30 pm ET | TUDN in US; TSN in Canada)
