Nothing doing: San Jose Earthquakes 0, Seattle Sounders 0

The San Jose Earthquakes finished another busy week with another result, as they played the Seattle Sounders to a 0-0 draw Sunday at Earthquakes Stadium.

The draw, coming off a rousing win on the road midweek for the Earthquakes, means they’ve dropped points in this game, but considering the last time these teams played, they lost 7-1 at home, this outcome is a solid result and San Jose’s performance level continues to be strong the last six games.

Matias Almeyda made one change to the group that started on Wednesday, with Oswaldo Alanís replacing Tanner Beason in central defense alongside Florian Jungwirth. It was Chris Wondolowski’s 300th start as an Earthquakes player.

JT Marcinkowski was tested early, with a Sounders counterattack in the 6th minute leading to a Jordan Morris shot that the goalkeeper pushed past the far post.

San Jose nearly got the go-ahead goal shortly before halftime, with a centering header from Wondolowski bound for Andy Rios cleared at the last second by Seattle forward Will Bruin, essentially saving a goal for the Sounders.

But the first half ended 0-0, with both teams battling throughout. The Earthquakes held a big edge in possession, and had more shots, five, but none of those ended up on target. The Sounders had several dangerous counterattacks but San Jose were up for it each and every time through the first 45.

The second half was more of the same, with both teams fighting for daylight and sometimes finding it, sometimes not. And neither team was eager to go to their substitutes on the night, with the coaches apparently happy to see the players battle it out as long as possible. Shea Salinas was the first sub of the night, in the 85th minute. But the breakthrough never came for either side on the night.

I think you can parse this outcome for the Quakes two ways. First, a result of any kind against the Sounders after getting crushed 7-1 last time out is great! This helps offer a psychological boost, even to the fanbase, that the demons from that last loss have been exorcised.

On the other hand, the Quakes could have won this. They could have lost it, too! It was a very tight game. But I think there can be a tiny inkling of disappointment that the Earthquakes didn’t get that goal to pick up all three points on the night. Still, a draw is better than a loss.

The Quakes are next scheduled to be in action Saturday, when they’ll take on the Vancouver Whitecaps in Portland, since American teams can’t travel to Canada right now. Vancouver run hot and cold, and they’ve been pretty solid the last couple games, so we’ll see if San Jose can find a way past the Whitecaps once again or if they’ll be pegged back.

What do you think? Leave a comment below.