SJ Earthquakes vs Seattle Sounders

Paul Rothrock scored the only goal as Seattle Sounders ground out a gutsy 1-0 win at San Jose Earthquakes on Sunday at PayPal Park. It was the first time the Earthquakes — who entered the weekend with the highest Expected Goals mark in MLS — had been shut out all season. The decisive moment came in the 20th minute on a slick counterattack. Danny Musovski held up play before feeding Jesús Ferreira, who threaded a perfectly weighted through ball for Rothrock to finish coolly for his second goal of the campaign. San Jose pushed hard for an equalizer but were denied by heroics at the other end. Goalkeeper Andrew Thomas made seven saves, including a huge stop to deny Preston Judd in a 60th-minute one-on-one. Antino Lopez then produced a stunning goal-line clearance in the 74th minute to preserve the lead. The result lifts Seattle up the Western Conference table while San Jose will feel they deserved more from a dominant display that lacked a finishing touch.