SAN JOSE — The Earthquakes’ historic start hit a road block Sunday when the Seattle Sounders used Paul Rothrock’s goal in the 20th minute to hand San Jose a 1-0 loss at PayPal Park.
Sounders goalkeeper Andrew Thomas kept the Quakes (3-1-0) off the board for the first time this season while also sending them to their first loss.
The Earthquakes had started a season with three consecutive wins for the first time in club history.
After Antino Lopez kicked away a would-be goal by the Quakes’ Preston Judd in the 74th minute, Thomas made a pair of saves in the 83rd and a diving stop in stoppage time to preserve his second consecutive shutout and third this season the Sounders (3-1-0).
On the counter-attack, Jesus Ferreira played a through ball from midfield to Rothrock near the right corner of the penalty box. Rothrock made a couple touches and, as goalkeeper Daniel crept off his line, slipped a shot past defender Reid Roberts and inside the near post.
Ferreira has four assists this season, tied with Vancouver’s Sebastian Berhalter for most in MLS. Seattle’s Cody Baker, a 22-year-old homegrown in his fourth MLS season, appeared to have scored his first career goal in the 86th minute but it was negated when Albert Rusnák was caught offsides.
Daniel finished with three saves.
Timo Werner, who had an assist in each of his first two appearances, made his first career start for San Jose.
The Quakes will next play the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday at 7:30 p.m in British Columbia.
San Jose Earthquakes goalkeeper Daniel (42) stands on the field following their 1-0 loss to Seattle Sounders FC at PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, March 15, 2026. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)