Seattle Sounders midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro (10) goes down as he battle for the ball against San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Jackson Yueill during the second half of an MLS soccer match, Friday, July 10, 2020, in Kissimmee, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
The Associated Press
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) - Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Frei made eight saves, including a diving stop on a deflected shot in the 70th minute, and the Sounders and San Jose played to a 0-0 draw in the MLS is Back tournament on Friday night.
The West Coast squads seemed to wilt in the heat and humidity of Central Florida as they combined for 28 total shots but could not beat either goalkeeper.
'œYou saw a team with soul, a team with chances,'ť San Jose coach Matias Almeyda said. 'œI'm really happy with the game my team played.'ť
Frei had the more highlight-worthy saves, the best coming off Jackson Yueill's deflected shot. But San Jose goalkeeper Daniel Vega was his equal. Vega stopped Cristian Roldan on a clear chance in the first half. Vega then made a pair of key saves late in the match. He denied Raul Ruidiaz inside the penalty area in the 84th minute.
Vega finished with six stops.
'œIn the end, obviously sloppy play for the first game in three months, whatever, it was probably going to be summed up like that,'ť Roldan said. 'œBut if we had taken care of one or two opportunities we would be happy with the result.'ť
It was the first match of the revamped Group B that lost FC Dallas when it was removed from the tournament after 10 players tested positive for COVID-19. Nashville was later removed after an outbreak of positive tests and Chicago was moved from Group A to Group B to fill out the tournament with six groups of four teams.
San Jose has been in Florida longer than any other MLS team. It was not permitted to practice in its home market prior to the start of the tournament and arrived in Florida 16 days before Friday's first match.
'œEver since I came to this team Matias really put that in us that we had to do our best,'ť Vega said through an interpreter. 'œI think tonight's result shows that and we're happy that we're back.'ť
The Earthquakes started the season with a draw against Toronto before losing to Minnesota United in the final match before the league came to a stop in mid-March.
Seattle opened the season with a win over Chicago and a draw against Columbus. The Sounders are now unbeaten in their last nine MLS matches dating to a Sept. 22, 2019, loss to D.C. United.
Seattle Sounders defender Xavier Arreaga, left, and defender Kelvin Leerdam, center rear, prevent San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Vako from scoring during the second half of an MLS soccer match, Friday, July 10, 2020, in Kissimmee, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
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San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Vako, left, moves the ball against Seattle Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldan, center, and defender Yeimar Gomez Andrade, right, during the second half of an MLS soccer match, Friday, July 10, 2020, in Kissimmee, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
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San Jose Earthquakes forward Andres Rios, rear, and Seattle Sounders defender Xavier Arreaga (3) collide as they battle for the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match, Friday, July 10, 2020, in Kissimmee, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
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Seattle Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei (24) stops a corner kick during the second half of an MLS soccer match against the San Jose Earthquakes, Friday, July 10, 2020, in Kissimmee, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
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Seattle Sounders midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro, left, and San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Judson battle for position during the second half of an MLS soccer match, Friday, July 10, 2020, in Kissimmee, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
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Seattle Sounders defender Yeimar Gomez Andrade, right, battles for possession of the ball with San Jose Earthquakes forward Cristian Espinoza (10) during the second half of an MLS soccer match, Friday, July 10, 2020, in Kissimmee, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
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Seattle Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldan, left, moves the ball against San Jose Earthquakes defender Nick Lima during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Friday, July 10, 2020, in Kissimmee, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
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Seattle Sounders midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro, center, battles for the ball with San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Judson, left, and defender Oswaldo Alanis (4) during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Friday, July 10, 2020, in Kissimmee, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
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