The Seattle Sounders are taking on the San Jose Earthquakes on Wednesday. Here is everything you need to know:
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. PT at Avaya Stadium in San Jose, Calif.
WHERE TO WATCH: The match will be televised on JOEtv and YouTube TV.
WHERE TO LISTEN: The match will air on 950 KJR AM and in Spanish on El Rey 1360 AM.
2018 RECORDS AND STANDINGS: Sounders: 5-9-5 (20 points; 10th West), Earthquakes: 2-11-6 (12 points, 12th West).
FORM GUIDE (most recent first): Seattle: WDDWL, San Jose: LLDDD
ALL-TIME HISTORY: The Sounders are 8-10-5 all time against the Earthquakes, including a 1-5-4 record on the road.
PREVIOUS MEETING: The Sounders defeated the Earthquakes 3-0 at CenturyLink Field on July 23, 2017, behind two goals in two minutes by Cristian Roldan and another by Kelvin Leerdam.
Cristian Roldan celebrates one of his two goals vs. San Jose last season | Jane Gershovich
PREVIOUS ROAD MEETING: Seattle and San Jose played to a 1-1 draw at Avaya Stadium on April 8, 2017, behind a Nicolás Lodeiro golazo in the 84th minute and a Chris Wondolowski equalizer in the 90th.
HERITAGE CUP: The Sounders and Earthquakes kick off their 2018 Heritage Cup, a trophy that dates back to 2009 when Seattle entered MLS and celebrates the two franchises’ former NASL history.
FOUR IN A ROW: The Sounders are unbeaten in their last four matches and are in their best form of the season. They’re coming off a 2-0 Cascadia win over the rival Vancouver Whitecaps.
RUIDÍAZ DEBUT: New Designated Player Raúl Ruidíaz made his long-anticipated debut last weekend when he came on as a second-half substitute. He was unlucky to not get on the scoresheet just seven minutes in and should find plenty of chances against an Earthquakes defense that has allowed 39 goals this season.
STREAKING NICO: Lodeiro recorded a first-half brace last weekend and now has three goals in his last two matches.
RODRÍGUEZ INJURED: Víctor Rodríguez exited last weekend’s match just before halftime with what Head Coach Brian Schmetzer called a hamstring injury. There is no timetable yet for his return.
Kelvin Leerdam dribbles against the Earthquakes’ Anibal Godoy | Jane Gershovich
WINLESS IN 10: The Earthquakes enter Wednesday’s match winless in their last 10 matches, including six losses. San Jose’s last win came on May 12.
VITESSE TEAMMATES: The Earthquakes added another Georgian international and former Vitesse player during this transfer window in defender Guram Kashia. Kashia and Quakes teammate Vako were each teammates with Sounders defender Kelvin Leerdam at Vitesse.
HOESEN HEATING UP: Forward Danny Hoesen leads the Quakes with 10 goals on the season, which is tied for fifth in MLS.
SOUNDERS KILLER: With 140 career MLS goals and counting, forward Chris Wondolowski has scored plenty and often against every team in the league. He has 11 goals all time against Seattle, the most by any player in the Sounders’ MLS history.
MANCHESTER UNITED: The Earthquakes played to a scoreless draw last weekend against global giants Man United as part of the Red Devils’ preseason American tour.
