Seattle Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer sees plenty of potential in his team, but stressed they cannot keep being masters of their own downfall.

The Sounders were 3-0 up against the Colorado Rapids by half-time on Wednesday and cruising to a comfortable victory at Lumen Field.

Instead, they found themselves pegged back to a 3-3 draw after conceding two penalties before Darren Yapi dragged the Rapids level.

It was the first time the Sounders had ever failed to win an MLS regular-season match in which they led by three or more goals (65 previous such matches).

Seattle are fifth in the Western Conference, eight points adrift of leaders San Diego FC, and Schmetzer knows that if they are to close that gap, then his team must find a way to see out results.

"I’m frustrated about our team and us being able to close out games when we go up 3-0, especially at home, that scoreline should have been game over," he said after the Rapids match.

"I’m trying to figure out what I can do to help the players get through some of these moments, and be a little smarter, more determined and tougher in certain moments.

"When you score three goals, you’re going to win most of your games.

"My view on draws like this is they feel like a loss. We came out in the second half and the first four minutes were good.  The penalties changed the game.

"They need to reflect, they need to reflect on the little details it takes to become a top, top, top team.

"I think we have the potential to be a top, top team but we can’t shoot ourselves in the foot too often. MLS is too much of a tough league and the standings are too tight. It was two dropped points, for sure."

Next up for the Sounders is a clash against the San Jose Earthquakes, who occupy the final playoff spot in the West but are only five points behind Seattle.

However, the Earthquakes have not won in four MLS games, drawing three of those.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Seattle Sounders - Albert Rusnak

Rusnak scored two goals and added an assist in Wednesday’s draw with Colorado.

The only other Sounders player to have an MLS match with multiple goals and an assist over the last five seasons is Raul Ruidíaz, who did so against CF Montreal last season.

San Jose Earthquakes - Cristian Espinoza

In regular-season play, Espinoza has notched six goals and six assists against the Sounders.

Since Espinoza's MLS debut in 2019, only three other players have reached both those marks against a single club (Hany Mukhtar v Atlanta United, Carles Gil v Orlando City, Johnny Russell v Minnesota United).

MATCH PREDICTION: SEATTLE WIN

San Jose have four away wins this season, already its most in a single campaign since 2021 (five).

Between 2022 and 2024, the Earthquakes managed just five total road victories in all competitions (D16 L37).

The 'Quakes are unbeaten in eight straight meetings against the Sounders across all competitions, including five in a row at Seattle (W2 D3).

Indeed, the Sounders have not recorded a home win over San Jose since a 4-1 victory in November 2020.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Seattle Sounders - 60.3%

San Jose Earthquakes - 18.9%

Draw - 20.8%