Wondolowski leads Earthquakes to 3-2 win over Sounders

  • By Don Ruiz The News Tribune
  • Saturday, March 14, 2015 10:27pm
  • SportsSports

SEATTLE — Seattle Sounders coach Sigi Schmid said last week that it could take five or six games to reach a conclusion on Brad Evans’ shift to center back.

Game 2 was a tough one.

After the Sounders unleased the quickest goal in team history, the San Jose Earthquakes stormed back for three straight goals and eventually a 3-2 win at CenturyLink Field.

Evans was involved in all three surrendered goals: two by Chris Wondolowski and the eventual game-winner by Innocent Emeghara.

“(Replacing Evans) was going through our mind, but he is the captain of the team, he is an important part of the team, he is a tremendous soccer player and a tremendous human being,” acting coach Brian Schmetzer said. “So I don’t think that if I had to second-guess myself, I probably would have done the same thing. But it did cross my mind, to be honest with you.”

Evans was among several Sounders who already had left the quiet locker room by the time the media was allowed in.

He is a longtime midfielder, who had some experience in recent seasons as an outside back with the U.S. national team and the Sounders. This season the club asked him to shift to central defense alongside three-time MLS defender of the year Chad Marshall.

Evans got his first start there in the opener last weekend, a 3-0 win over New England. However, things were considerably rougher Saturday, after the Sounders jumped ahead 18 seconds after the opening whistle.

That play unfolded down the left side, where Lamar Neagle cut the ball back across to left back Tyrone Mears. Mears fired on goal, but San Jose goalkeeper David Bingham blocked it. However, the rebound went to Clint Dempsey, who headed it back in.

“Sometimes when you score that early goal it makes things difficult because the other team gets fired up, your team may let off the gas a little bit,” Schmetzer said. “But obviously it was a good start. If I had to ask, ‘Do I want to score early or do I not,’ I’m going to take the goal.”

However, things soon started to go wrong along the Sounders’ back line.

In the 13th minute, Marvell Wynne launched a pass over Evans and to Wondolowski, who controlled it the middle of the penalty area and sent it into the net.

In the 48th minute, Evans misplayed a ball in the area and Wondolowski took advantage, putting the Earthquakes (1-1) ahead, 2-1.

Those goals were the eighth and ninth of Wondolowski’s career against Seattle, the most by any opponent.

“He’s a good player,” Schmetzer said. “He showed you on that first goal. He was able to chest the ball down and smash it in. He is really, really a terrific MLS player, and he showed his class tonight.”

Seattle seemed to get a new boost four minutes later, when San Jose defender Victor Bernardez was shown a straight red card for kicking Micheal Azira. And for a time around the 60th minute, the Sounders seemed on the verge of taking advantage as they unleashed a barrage of shots.

However, none of them made it past Bingham. And in the 70th minute Emeghara faked Evans off his feet and finished past goalkeeper Stefan Frei.

That became the winning goal after Obafemi Martins’ tapped in a pass from Andy Rose from close range. That pulled the Sounders to within one, but the equalizer never came.

“After (taking the early lead) we made a few mistakes,” midfielder Gonzalo Pineda said. “I think after the first goal you have to keep more possession and still get pressure on them. But we didn’t do that after the first goal, so those are the consequences.”

In the 80th minute, Mears left the game with what he called “a small hamstring tear.” Mears said he hopes the injury will keep him out only a couple of weeks, but no prognosis was immediately offered from the club.

Before the match, the Sounders announced that Schmid would be absent due to the wedding of his eldest son, Erik, and that Schmetzer would handle the coaching duties.

The Sounders (1-1) have bye next weekend. They will return to action March 24 with a friendly against Club Tijuana at CenturyLink Field. Seattle returns to league play March 28 at FC Dallas.

Talk to us

More in Sports

Everett's Max Soterakopoulos points to his name on the leaderboard after winning his division the Regional Qualifier for Drive, Chip and Putt, held last Saturday at Chambers Bay Golf Course in University Place. (Photo coutesy of Chris Soterakopoulos)
Community roundup: Everett youth golfer headed to The Masters

Plus, Mill Creek Country Club’s Val Patrick honored by LPGA, updates on local NFL players, and more.

Angel of the Winds Arena stands ready and waiting Friday afternoon for Kraken fans to arrive for the preseason game against the Edmondton Oilers. (Jake Goldstein-Street / The Herald)
Patterson: After past fails, can arena football thrive in Everett?

The turbulent past of arena football in the city stems from the opening of the Everett Events Center, now Angel of the Winds Arena, in 2003.

Stanwood players react to their coach bringing them the Stilly Cup on Sept. 30, 2022 in Arlington. The Spartans snapped a 12-game losing streak in the rivalry matchup last year. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
4 games to watch in Week 5 of the prep football season

An in-depth look at the best games the area has to offer, plus a full schedule of the local action in Week 5.

Hall of Fame inductee Gina Carbonatto accepts her award during the 2023 Snohomish County Sports Hall of Fame Banquet on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
GALLERY: 2023 Snohomish County Sports Hall of Fame banquet

A look at Wednesday’s ceremony honoring some of the most decorated sports figures in the area.

Stanwood's Michael Mascotti relays the next play to his teammates during football practice on Monday, Aug. 29, 2022 in Stanwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Game picks for Week 5 of the prep football season

Find out which teams the experts and readers pick to win in Week 5.

Sultan’s Derek Feltner tries to stay upright after picking up an offensive fumble and getting a few yards against Granite Falls on Friday, Sep. 30, 2022, at Sultan High School in Sultan, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Week 5 prep football leaderboard

A look at the area’s top passers, rushers and receivers through four weeks of the season.

Prep roundup for Wednesday, Sept. 27

Prep roundup for Wednesday, Sept. 27: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Lake Stevens’ Jayshon Limar (17) moves with the ball during a football game between Lake Stevens and West Linn at Lake Stevens High School in Lake Stevens, Washington on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. West Linn won, 49-30. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Associated Press high school football poll for Week 5

Lake Stevens falls from No. 1 in Class 4A; Arlington jumps to No. 6 in 3A.

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for Sept. 18-24

The Athlete of the Week nominees for Sept. 18-24. Voting closes at… Continue reading

Most Read