Preview: Houston Dynamo vs. Seattle Sounders – Prediction, Team News, Lineups

Houston Dynamo will be welcome Seattle Sounders on Sunday for the second game of the first round of the MLS Cup at Shell Energy Stadium.

After triumphing on penalties in their first meeting, the visitors travel to Texas confident that a win on the day would secure their place in the conference semifinals with one game to go.

Game preview

© Imago

Houston Dynamo return to Shell Energy Stadium on Sunday hoping to keep their MLS season alive and draw level in the best-of-three first-round series.

El Naranja secured its spot in the first round of the playoffs by finishing fifth in the Western Conference and amassing 54 points, three more than a fourth-place finish in 2023.

In last year's run, the Texas team made it to the conference finals over two rounds and ultimately fell to Los Angeles FC. With a strong finish to the regular season and fifth place, they once again secured a top seven spot to avoid the wildcard round with wins and 17 points from their last nine games, culminating in a 2-1 home win over Los Angeles Galaxy culminated Daniel SteresThe winning goal in the 11th minute.

That meant a tough draw against the Seattle Sounders Ben Olsen's side, and after being reduced to 10 men just after the hour mark Adalberto Carrasquilla Despite being sent off, they remained strong and held the hosts to a goalless draw within 90 minutes, but then left empty-handed as they narrowly failed in the penalty shootout Erik SviatchenkoThe only difference in the five penalties was 's miss.

Houston Dynamo now face the tough test of winning both remaining games to make it to the playoffs. They will first look to make the most of the home advantage and emerge victorious on Sunday to level the series.

© Imago

Their visitors, meanwhile, travel to Texas with the aim of continuing their impressive home run and advancing to the conference semifinals after finishing the regular season in good form and securing a place in the top seven.

Of their 57 points from 34 games in the regular season, the Seattle Sounders collected 35 in the last 15 games and stormed to fourth place, winning 11 of them and losing just twice.

After the last of these defeats in early September Brian SchmetzerThe Houston team ended the campaign with a seven-game unbeaten streak, including five more wins, culminating in back-to-back wins over the Houston Dynamo, Vancouver Whitecaps and Colorado Rapids and a draw against Portland Timbers.

This win over Houston extended an impressive record against El Naranja after they had gone six games unbeaten against their first round opponents en route to the playoff series, before adding to that streak in the first game and taking the lead in the tie Raul Ruidiaz, Albert Rusnak, Jackson Ragen, Cristian Roldan And Alex Roldan Everyone converted their penalties after the goalless draw.

After failing to reach the Western Conference semifinals in the 2023 MLS playoffs, the Seattle Sounders now have their sights set on the last eight once again and will look to secure their place with a game to spare with an away win on Sunday.

Houston Dynamo Major League Soccer form:

Seattle Sounders Major League Soccer form:

Team news

© Imago

Houston Dynamo go into Sunday's game without winger Adalberto Carrasquilla, who is suspended following his red card in Tuesday's game Lawrence Ennali And Nelson Quinones continues to be out due to injury.

Since no player in the squad has scored more than six goals this season, Ezequiel Ponce should be back at the top with his six appearances from just 14 appearances Sebastian Kowalczyk should take Carrasquilla's place on the right.

Key men Hector Herrera And Arthur will continue their partnership in midfield, while Erik Sviatchenko and Michael will line up in the middle of an unchanged back four after the goalless draw in the last game.

The Seattle Sounders could do without an attacker and top scorer Jordan Morriswho sustained an injury in the first game on Tuesday, during Cody Baker could also be excluded again.

What might be the only change from this game is that Raul Ruidiaz will take over in Morris's absence, having scored eight goals and scored in the shootout so far this season.

He will get support from Pedro de la Vega, Paul Rothrock and Albert Rusnak, who has 10 goals and 13 assists in MLS this season Joao Paulo and Cristian Roldan will continue their partnership in the engine room.

Houston Dynamo possible starting lineup:
Clark; Dorsey, Micael, Sviatchenko, Escobar; Herrera, Arthur; Kowalczyk, Bassi, Aliyu; Ponce

Possible Seattle Sounders starting lineup:
Free; A Roldan, Gomez, Ragen, Tolo; Paulo, Roldan; De La Vega, Rusnak, Rothrock; Ruidiaz

We say: Houston Dynamo – Seattle Sounders 1-0

Given the close defensive records of both teams, the two strongest in the Western Conference this season, and the closeness of Tuesday's first game, we expect another close duel this weekend that could be decided by a single goal.

With them needing a win to keep their hopes alive, we're backing the Houston Dynamo to take advantage of home advantage and take the tie to a playoff with a first win over the Seattle Sounders since 2021.

For data analysis of the most likely outcomes, scores and more for this game, please click here.

Previews via email