Sounders players Nouhou and Obed Vargas return from national team duties, while Kim Kee-hee and Reed Baker-Whiting are available for selection after full training, although their roles in the match remain uncertain.

Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei acknowledged the threat posed by San Jose, noting their ability to capitalize on opportunities and their historical competitiveness against Seattle.

Despite the Sounders facing injuries to key players like Jordan Morris, Pedro de la Vega, and Paul Arriola, San Jose's attack is bolstered by the addition of key players like Martnez and Chicho Arango, who currently leads the team with three goals this season.

The Heritage Cup celebrates the legacy of former North American Soccer League teams that retained their names and traditions after joining Major League Soccer (MLS), with the Sounders and Quakes being the only participants since Seattle joined MLS in 2009.

San Jose has won the Heritage Cup series for the last three years, despite finishing last in the Western Conference twice and qualifying for the postseason only once during that period.

San Jose has experienced a downturn, losing their last three matches after a promising start to the season, while the Sounders are currently winless and goalless in their last two games.

The Seattle Sounders are set to face the San Jose Earthquakes on March 29, 2025, at PayPal Park in San Jose, California, marking the inaugural match of the Heritage Cup series.

The match will be broadcasted on Apple TV and radio stations KJR 950 AM (English) and El Rey 1360 AM (Spanish).

Bruce Arena, a five-time MLS Cup champion and the most successful coach in MLS history, became the head coach for San Jose in November 2024 after resigning from the New England Revolution due to allegations of insensitive remarks.

The all-time series between the Sounders and Quakes stands even at 15 wins, 15 losses, and 10 draws.

San Jose striker Josef Martnez returns from international duty, but the team will be without midfielder Hernn Lpez due to injury, and Niko Tsakiris is questionable to play.

In 2024, the Quakes earned the Wooden Spoon by finishing last in the 29-team league, conceding 78 goals throughout the season.