BAY LAKE – The two teams had 28 shots between them, but it wasn’t enough as Seattle Sounders FC and the San Jose Earthquakes fought out a scoreless draw in the MLS is Back tournament at ESPN Wide World of Sports at Walt Disney World on Friday night.
It was all Earthquakes in the first half, dominating possession, but Stefan Frei was a brick wall in the Sounders’ goal, saving everything that came his way. Despite San Jose’s domination of the first half, the best chance of the first half fell to Seattle in the 28th minute. Cristian Roldan got behind the defense and was able to shoot only to be denied by a robust Daniel Vega save.
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After the break, the Quakes came out determined to get the opener and pushed throughout the half, and if not for Frei’s efforts would have had it.
Their best chance of the match came in the 70th minute when only an improbable Frei save kept the match level. Jackson Yueill unleashed a shot from distance that took a deflection, seemingly catching Frei out, but the keeper managed to make a stunning dive and make the save.
With so much possession (62 percent), there was always a chance that a late chance could catch out the California club, and it nearly happened with six minutes to play. Kelvin Leerdam found a wide-open Raul Ruidaz, but Vega quickly came off his line and made the stop on Ruidaz’s shot to preserve his clean sheet and the point for the Earthquakes.
The match was physical with 20 fouls and 81 duels, something that Yueill reflected on after the game.
“It’s a normal game. Everyone comes to compete and to play hard. You only have three games, so each game is very important to win. If you lose, it lessens your chances of making it through. I think everyone is going to come with 100% attitude.”
San Jose Earthquakes’ midfielder Jackson Yueill
Florida Soccer Report 
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