Seattle Sounders Vs San Jose Earthquakes: 3 things we learned – A brilliant stalemate

1. The Group B leading candidates

With Carlos Vela remaining at home, many believed that the Seattle Sounders were the favourites to win MLS is Back entering the competition. They are the MLS Cup champions, have returned the majority of their key players from that title-winning campaign, and are particularly well-suited to knockout-style competitions, too.

The San Jose Earthquakes, meanwhile, were not considered on the same footing as Seattle. They looked lost in their opening two matches of the 2020 season. They lost 10 of their final 13 games in 2019 to agonisingly slip out of the playoffs. For all of their great work early in 2019, their form for almost a year has been poor.

Nevertheless, on this occasion, it was the Earthquakes who stood up to the Sounders and challenged them. They pressed, harassed, moved the ball brilliantly in possession, created decent chances, largely controlled the game. The Sounders had opportunities, as San Jose’s man-marking approach tends to concede at times, but the Earthquakes were largely in control.

With the Chicago Fire replacing FC Dallas and the Vancouver Whitecaps closing out the group, you have to think these are the two top-tier sides in the group. Should they earn qualification to the knockout stages, they will be dangerous for any opponent.