Sounders stumble

SEATTLE – Sounders FC coach Sigi Schmid said last week that it could take five or six games to reach a conclusion on Brad Evans’ shift to center back.

Game two was a tough one.

After the Sounders unleased the quickest goal in team history, the San Jose Earthquakes stormed back for three straight goals and eventually a 3-2 win at CenturyLink Field.

Evans was involved in all three surrendered goals: two by Chris Wondolowski and the eventual game-winner by Innocent Emeghara.

“(Replacing Evans) was going through our mind, but he is the captain of the team, he is an important part of the team, he is a tremendous soccer player and a tremendous human being,” acting coach Brian Schmetzer said. “So I don’t think that if I had to second-guess myself, I probably would have done the same thing.”

Evans was among several Sounders who already had left the quiet locker room by the time the media was allowed in.

He is a longtime midfielder, who had some experience in recent seasons as an outside back with the U.S. national team and the Sounders. This season the club asked him to shift to central defense alongside three-time MLS defender of the year Chad Marshall.

Evans got his first start there in the opener last weekend, a 3-0 win over New England. However, things were considerably rougher Saturday, after the Sounders jumped ahead 18 seconds after the opening whistle.

That play unfolded down the left side, where Lamar Neagle cut the ball back across to left back Tyrone Mears. Mears fired on goal, but San Jose goalkeeper David Bingham blocked it. However, the rebound went to Clint Dempsey, who headed it back in.

Obafemi Martins tapped in a pass from Andy Rose from close range to pull the Sounders to within one, but the equalizer never game.