Despite the fact that neither team will be part of the Major League Soccer playoff games this season, Seattle Sounders and San Jose Earthquakes will be hoping to finish their regular campaigns in a strong fashion.
The hosts come into this match without a victory in their previous three outings, meanwhile, the visitors will be attempting to get themselves off the foot of the table.
Match preview
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Seattle Sounders are currently in the midst of a three-match run without a victory as they have lost twice and drawn once, a run which has taken them out of contention for a playoff place.
Even with a victory on Sunday, Seattle would still be mathematically unable to get themselves into the top seven positions.
Despite the fact that this fixture will bring an end to their campaign, Brian Schmetzer will be wanting his team to wrap up their campaign in style, especially at home.
In front of their own fans Seattle has been much stronger as they have won nine fixtures, and only lost five times to this point.
Ninth position is the highest that Seattle can finish this season if other results go their way this weekend, and that would provide a jumping block for progress next season.
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For the visitors, there are a lot of improvements needed for the next campaign, and that is something the team will be hoping to kickstart this Sunday.
San Jose Earthquakes are currently bottom of the MLS Western Conference, and that is a situation that they will not want to find themselves in after this weekend.
A victory against Seattle does provide them with the potential of climbing out of that position, but that would also rely upon Houston Dynamo dropping points.
San Jose brought an end to a four-match run without a win last weekend with a dominant 2-0 victory against Minnesota United.
Goals from Shea Salinas and Benji Kikanovic were the difference makers in that match, and a repeat of that result would be a strong way to conclude their campaign.
Team News
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For the hosts Kelyn Rowe could be an option once again following his suspension, which was what took him out of their most recent defeat.
However, Sounders do have a trio of injuries as Andrew Thomas and Obed Vargas are dealing with back problems, while Joao Paulo is out of action due to an ACL tear.
For the visitors, there could be an unchanged starting XI this weekend following the 2-0 win that they secured last time out, with the 4-3-3 formation likely continuing.
Carlos Akapo missed out on that game due to a right foot injury, and he is not a guarantee to be available when it comes to this final match of the season.
Seattle Sounders possible starting lineup:
Frei; A. Roldan, Gomez, Arreaga, Tolo; C. Roldan, Rusnak, Lodeiro; Montero, Ruidiaz, Morris
San Jose Earthquakes possible starting lineup:
Marcinkowski; Thompson, Rodrigues, Nathan, Beason; Gregus, Yueill, Monteiro; Kikanovic, Ebobisse, Cowell
We say: Seattle Sounders 0-2 San Jose Earthquakes
Neither team can progress into the MLS playoffs, but out of the two, it is San Jose Earthquakes who have the most to play for in this game.
The visitors will not want to finish the season bottom of the league, and the desire to finish higher than that could be the difference maker here.
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