Sounders Lose Overtime Thriller To Earthquakes

Published on July 17, 2002 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Seattle Sounders News Release


(Seattle, WA) - The Seattle Sounders lost a dramatic overtime game to the San Jose Earthquakes Wednesday night at Interbay Stadium in Seattle. The Earthquakes scored in the 109th minute for the 4-3 win.

The Sounders jumped on the board in the 11th minute of the match. Andrew Gregor scored on a free kick from 25 yards out. The San Jose Earthquakes defensive wall set up toward the middle of the 18-yard box, with keeper Jon Conway patrolling the middle of the goal. Gregor's shot bent toward the right corner of the net and Conway could not't get there in time.

San Jose countered in the 30th minute off a free kick of their own. Ramiro Corrales hit Ronnie Ekelund who ripped a shot past Sounder keeper Preston Burpo. Ekelund entered the game in the 20th minute replacing an injured Richard Mulrooney.

Ekelund again figured in the second Earthquake goal. He chipped a pass forward to Dwayne Derosario who lobbed a shot over the head of a charging Burpo.

A Sounders offense that was quiet in the first half came to life in the second. Gregor played a beautiful ball into the Earthquake goal box and Scott Jenkins headed home the Sounders 2nd goal in the 58th minute.

Brian Ching netted the Sounders 3rd goal two minutes later. Second half substitute Nate Daligcon fed Ching who headed home the go ahead goal.

World Cup star Landon Donovan entered the game in the 65th minute hoping to spark an Earthquake offense.

The Earthquakes got the equalizer courtesy of an Ekelund penalty kick goal. Ryan Edwards got tangled up with Earthquake second half substitute Ariel Graziani. Edwards was called for holding Graziani inside the 18-yard box. Ekelund buried a shot high to Burpo's right side in the 78th minute.

Edwards received his second yellow card of the game in the 89th minute when he hauled down DeRosario who was flying down the left side of the field. The Sounders played a man down until the 104th minute when Eddie Robinson received a red card for a hard foul on Gregor.

The first overtime featured several chances by both teams. Burpo and Conway both made outstanding saves and the game proceeded into the second overtime frame.

Graziani netted the game winner in the 109th minute of the second overtime session. DeRosario blasted a hard shot that was saved by Burpo. But Graziani was on the doorstep and he beat Burpo low to the right side to give the Earthquakes the 4-3 win.

With the win the Earthquakes advance to face the Los Angeles Galaxy in the next round of the U.S. Open Cup. The Galaxy defeated the A-League's Minnesota Thunder 4-0 earlier on Wednesday night.

The Sounders will quickly regroup to face the Portland Timbers in Friday night A-League action. Kick-off is set for 7 p.m. at Memorial Stadium.

For more information on the Seattle Sounders visit www.SeattleSounders.net.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



USL First Division Stories from July 17, 2002


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central