The Seattle Sounders started a weakened lineup against the league-leading San Jose Earthquakes, and for 90% of the match they kept things even. Not only did Seattle keep the Quakes off the board, they held a majority of the possession and, for a good stretch of time, looked the more likely side to score. For some time, this game had all the signs of a season-defining grinder. But the Earthquakes aren't all that fond of narratives that aren't their own, apparently, and a late flurry of action ended in heartbreak for Seattle.
After an even first half that saw the Sounders create several strong chances and Sammy Ochoa hit the post twice, San Jose began to gain the upper had in the second 45 minutes. Seattle locked things down admirably and seemed to be hoping to keep the home side off the board until the game reached a late enough stage to bring the big guns off the bench. Unfortunately for Seattle, a crack appeared before the cavalry arrived; Simon Dawkins pounced on a loose ball in the box too put the Quakes ahead 1-0 in the 71st minute.
Seattle switched into all-out attack mode shortly thereafter, but it wasn't until the game was past the 80-minute mark, with Mauro Rosales and Fredy Montero both in the game, that the Sounders began to threaten. All of the pressure seemed for naught as the game entered stoppage time, but Fredy Montero looked to have earned the Sounders a point in the 92nd minute with a headed goal after the Earthquakes failed to clear a long throw from Brad Evans.
And then Steven Lenhart happened. On what was functionally the last kick of the game, Lenhart out-jumped his mark to head a Shea Salinas corner past Gspurning and into the back of the net in the 93rd minute. It was the second crushing loss in less than a week, and though Seattle has likely missed out on the opportunity to win the Supporters Shield, a strong response from the disappointment of the last couple of days could go a log way towards showing that this team is prepared for a playoff run.