The stage is set.
The Sounders will face the Houston Dynamo in the Round One, Best-of-3 series of the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs. The first game will commence on Oct. 28 at Lumen Field (6 p.m. PT; Watch on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, FS1, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360AM, SiriusXM FC 157 | TICKETS).
“That's an experienced team,” said Head Coach Brian Schmetzer. “We had some good results against Houston in the past, so hopefully we can continue that and get two good results in the future.”
The two teams have already gone head-to-head twice this year, with the Sounders coming away with a 1-0 win on Sept. 28 and a 2-2 draw on June 19.
“They like to possess the ball and they have the quality to do so,” said goalkeeper Stefan Frei. “The last time we played them, we were good at allowing them to possess, but in places where they couldn't punish us, so we're going to have to kind of repeat that.”
Along with engaging in a similar approach, the Sounders need to be aware of additional threats Ezequiel Ponce and Hector Herrera who were not available in Seattle’s previous clean-sheet win over Houston.
“They're solid attacking players, and if they feature against us, we're going to have to make sure that we're solid against them,” said defender Alex Roldan. “We have to be very aggressive when it comes to them receiving the ball by letting them know that we're there and not [allowing them] to just get easy turns.”
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.
Seattle’s defense has compiled another elite campaign in the 2024 regular season, with a league-leading 13 clean sheets and fewest goals against in MLS (35). Their hope is to make that same statement in the attack during postseason play, beginning on Monday night at Lumen Field.
“Houston’s midfield is a talented group, but they lack the defensive abilities that maybe we have, so I think that the goal is to be a very good offensive team in the playoffs, and to allow our defense to not have so much pressure put on them,” said Roldan. “We've done really well in the season defensively, but I think if we can improve on getting multiple goals in a game, that'll really help us.”
The expectation for the Rave Green is to take control of the series early. It will be a challenging feat, but the players believe with the current confidence they possess, this outcome is possible.
“We have to clean up a few things, and we're working on those things here in training,” said Roldan. “But overall, I think the group is in a good spot heading into the playoffs against a tough opponent.”
