The Seattle Sounders host the Houston Dynamo on Saturday for the first of two meetings during the 2019 MLS regular season. Here is everything you need to know:
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. PT at CenturyLink Field (TICKETS).
WHERE TO WATCH: The match will be televised on JOEtv and YouTube TV.
WHERE TO LISTEN: The match will air on 950 KJR AM and El Rey 1360 AM.
2019 RECORDS AND STANDINGS: Sounders: 5-1-4 (19 points, 4th West), Dynamo: 6-1-1 (19 points, 3rd West)
FORM GUIDE (most recent first): Seattle: DDDLW, Houston: WWLWW
ALL-TIME HISTORY: The Sounders are 8-4-6 all-time against the Dynamo, including a 7-0-2 mark at home.
PREVIOUS MEETING: Seattle secured its first-ever victory in the regular season in Houston with a 3-2 result back on October 21, 2018. Chad Marshall opened the scoring in the 26th minute, when he headed home Nicolás Lodeiro’s out-swinging corner kick. Gustav Svensson doubled Seattle’s advantage minutes into the second half with a thunderous header, once again from a Lodeiro corner. The home side halved the deficit with a set-piece goal of their own before Raúl RuidÃaz iced the match with a composed finish in 87th minute. Mauro Manotas added a second for the Dynamo, but the Sounders held on for three massive points.
REINFORCEMENTS: A host of returning Sounders should bolster the squad for the Week 10 matchup. Right back Kelvin Leerdam has served his red card suspension, while Will Bruin, VÃctor RodrÃguez and RuidÃaz all entered the fray in Seattle’s 1-1 draw with Minnesota United after spells on the sidelines through injury.
VENGEFUL DANCING BEAR: Bruin spent his first six seasons in Major League Soccer as a centerpiece for the Dynamo. Since joining Seattle in 2017, Bruin has tallied four goals and one assist in his last four starts across all competitions against his former team.
CLIMB THE STANDINGS: A win on Saturday would see Seattle leapfrog the Dynamo, who currently sit third in the table, in the Western Conference standings.
LOOK OUT FOR LODEIRO: The last time Lodeiro squared off against Houston, he contributed a hat-trick of assists, two of which came from set pieces. Seattle’s Uruguayan No. 10 enters Saturday’s fixture with six assists on the season.
ROCKET ROLDAN: Cristian Roldan had his red card from the LAFC match rescinded last week. He responded with arguably the goal of the season – which earned a Goal of the Week nomination – for the Sounders, exhibiting perfect technique as he smashed a volley that secured a point on the road for Seattle.
PROTECT THIS HOUSE: The Sounders remain unbeaten at CenturyLink Field this season, which bodes well for Saturday’s match, as Houston have never defeated the Rave Green in Seattle.
TELL ME SOMETHING I DON’T KNOW: According to a review of goalkeeping analytics published on ProSoccerUSA.com, Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei is statistically the top performer in MLS. Who knew?
