The Seattle Sounders are taking on the Houston Dynamo on Monday in the first of a best-of-three series in the first round of the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs. Here is everything you need to know:
PLAYOFF FORMAT: 2024 marks the second year of the league’s new Best-Of-3 format in Round One of the postseason. The Sounders will host the Dynamo in the opening fixture on Monday before traveling to Texas for the second match on Sunday, Nov. 3. A third match, if necessary, will take place at Lumen Field in Seattle on Sunday, Nov. 10. If a match in Round One ends in a draw, it will go straight to penalties to determine a winner.
WHEN AND WHERE: The match will start promptly at 6 p.m. PT at Lumen Field (TICKETS).
WHERE TO WATCH: The match will be televised on FS1 and FOX Deportes and will be available to stream for free on Apple TV.
WHERE TO LISTEN: The match will air on 950 KJR AM and El Rey 1360AM.
2024 RECORDS AND STANDINGS: Sounders: 16-9-9 (57 points, 4th West), Dynamo: 15-10-9 (54 points, 5th West)
FORM GUIDE (all competitions, most recent first): Seattle: DWWWD, Houston: WLWLW
PREVIOUS MEETINGS: The Sounders and Dynamo drew 2-2 in Houston on June 19 before the Sounders won 1-0 in Seattle on Sept. 28.
SCHMETZER HERE TO STAY: Prior to the start of the postseason, the club and Head Coach Brian Schmetzer agreed to a multiyear contract extension on Thursday.
END-OF-YEAR HONOR: Major League Soccer on Thursday named Sounders defender Jackson Ragen as one of three finalists for MLS Defender of the Year. Chad Marshall (2014) was the last Sounder to win the award.
ONE-WAY TRAFFIC: Seattle enters this series on the heels of a 12-1-1 run against the Dynamo in all competitions dating back to 2017.
RIDING HIGH: The Sounders boast the best points-per-game mark of any team in the Western Conference since the end of the Leagues Cup earlier this year.
Relentless Since '74
Join us as we host the Houston Dynamo at Lumen Field on Oct. 28 in Round One, Game 1 of the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs.
RECORD SEASON: The Dynamo set a club record for points in a single season (54) as well as the most road wins in a campaign (eight).
DEFENSIVE APTITUDE: Houston finished behind only Seattle in the West in goals allowed this season (39). The Dynamo were also one of only three teams in MLS (Charlotte FC) to concede fewer than 40 goals.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Ezequiel Ponce, F
A midsummer Designated Player acquisition, Ponce has added a new bite to a previously listless Houston attack. The 27-year-old Argentine forward finished tied for second on the team in goals with five in just 10 matches since arriving.
