Playoff #2: Sounders @ Houston (Preview)
Seattle and the Dynamo meet on Sunday in the second leg of the Western Conference Playoffs in Houston. It will be the 5th match between the two squads after two MLS regular season games, the US Open Cup semifinal, and the first leg of the playoffs. The Sounders have won 2 of the 4 games and the other two were draws. Sunday’s match will have a winner- whether it is after 90 minutes, 120 minutes, or Penalty Kicks.
The winner of this “winner take all” match will take on the winner of the LA Galaxy vs. Chivas USA match in the Western Conference Finals.
Sounders fans can look for Head Coach Sigi Schmid to start the recent lineup featuring Fredy Montero and Freddie Ljungberg up front. Then Steve Zakuani, Brad Evans, and Nate Jaqua from left to right across the midfield. Osvaldo Alonso will join Evans in the central midfield position.
The Sounders Defense is anchored with Kasey Keller in goal with Leo Gonzalez and James Riley on the left and right sides respectively. Jhon Kennedy Hurtado was a finalist for MLS Defender of the Year in the middle and he the other Central Defender will either be Tyrone Marshall if he is a game-fit 100% or Patrick Ianni who in a last minute start in the first leg had Seattle’s two best scoring chances.
The Dynamo seemingly have all of their usuals at full strength. Ricardo Clark and Designated Player, Luis Angel Landin have used the 10 days in between games to recover to a near 100%. At home at Richardson Stadium, the Dynamo are 4-1 all-time- their lone loss was last year when the New York Red Bulls defeated them.
Seattle is 4-1-1 in their last 6 matches on the road and have won the last 4 matches on grass (they are 5-0-1 overall).
If the match is tied at the end of 90 minutes, two 15 minute periods will be played. If the score remains tied after 120 minutes, the game will be decided with a shootout.
Kickoff is slated for 12p. The game will be shown on King5 in the Seattle area and on FSN in the rest of the Pacific Northwest.
