The Sounders & Dynamo played to a 1-1 draw at Qwest in March (Chris Coulter Photo)

I vaguely remember the Houston Dynamo naming debacle of 2006. The Sounders obviously weren’t around yet and the controversy that the initial name generated gave me a reason to continue ignoring the league. It’s amazing how far MLS has come since then, and how much further it has yet to go. What I do clearly remember is feeling as though Houston were one of our strongest rivals by the end of our first MLS season. While Portland will always be our natural rival followed by Vancouver and — to the feeling of a good many people — LA, Houston were one of the best teams in the league in ‘09 and the Sounders battled all season long before succumbing to the Orange on a tragic pitch in the playoffs.

First it was the thrilling comeback victory in Seattle as all Sounders headed home with a joyous three points on the pegs of former Dynamo Patrick Ianni’s bicycle. Just a matter of days later the Sounders played what will surely someday be considered one of the most memorable duels in early club history, equalizing late and winning in extra time in a knockout match at Starfire in the US Open Cup.

Thus, the rivalry started out unexpectedly one-sided for the upstarts based on the win-loss record. But both matches had been hotly contested and the Dynamo would remember these moments in the second half of the season. After allowing the Sounders a second half equalizer for a draw in Houston, the Dynamo then showed the playoff experience they had gained as champions in 2006 and ’07 by returning the extra time favor, only this time after more than 180 minutes of play. I will never forgive Brian Ching for the pain he inflicted in a two-legged snoozefest that Houston did not make a very strong case for deserving to win. Sounders fans had ridden an incredible wave all season only to suddenly crash hard into the rocks causing everything to go black.

2010 saw a split with each team winning at home as Galaxy became the culprit of regular and post season heartbreak. A 1-1 draw earlier this season allowed Houston to take advantage of a Sounders side that came stumbling out of the gate and were happy just to crack the egg. But now the Dynamo (24 from 21) find themselves in the middle of the unfamiliar and considerably weaker Eastern Conference looking up at a club that, two seasons ago, seemed a minor annoyance. Seattle (38 from 22) must once again prove their road warrior status in a place where success clearly doesn’t come easy. Fans must surely fear the feeling of a team losing the momentum gained from a fantastic run in league play just because an unnecessary friendly and an important Champions League match didn’t quite go as planned.

Instead, it is the Dynamo who might now choose to bring back some rivalry sentiment in looking for a little added motivation on Saturday. With one win in their last five and playoff spots at a premium in the East, Houston will need to dig deep in order to alter the fact that they sit in 11th place in a league table that only takes 10 (only?) to the postseason.

For Sounders fans, the whirlwind continues. From battling injuries and praying for the transfer window to winning emphatically and looking quite solid at most positions, the team has once again tackled three competitions plus the obligatory mega-friendly. Present day me wants to look for three points Saturday, while the me of a few months ago would have been overjoyed with a point and no injuries.

But realistically, the supporters understand the circumstances of jetlag, heat and tired legs. With a critical match to come just four days later (get your tickets now!) it may seem just a touch easier for the once rival-worthy Dynamo to be less a focal point and more an obstacle. As Kasey Keller gobbles up air miles and Osvaldo Alonso and Jeff Parke own exhaustive-looking defensive duties that only they seem suited for, are the 20 Sounders who left town last weekend due for a letdown in league play?

As a fan, I say no (of course). As a master tactician, I plead the fifth (is that allowed?). While the Dynamo haven’t played particularly well against other teams of similarly unconvincing quality lately, I just can’t help but feel that Robertson Stadium somehow knows when the Sounders come to town and that Kinnear’s orange smear will look to take advantage of a Seattle squad seemingly spread a little thin right now.

But enough with the pessimism and bad vibes. The Sounders will care little for the motives and aspirations of a team from the middle of the Eastern table when the real race heating up in this league is for top spot in the West. Indeed, it is the pursuit of the Supporters Shield that must drive each player to grit out a Houston summer night. It will be warm and heavy off the Gulf Coast and these Sounders will have to battle to avoid a dip in league form, while it appears the entire area will now avoid the ironically named tropical storm (The) Don.

Let’s hope the 20 Sounders can end this road trip and escape southeast Houston (and Texas) with the three points we know they’re capable of. Come home, breath our incredibly fresh air, enjoy our not-quite-so-oppressive sunshine and prepare for the real World’s Stage on Wednesday night.

Other notes:
Thankfully, this could very well be the last time the Sounders and fans have to suffer a trip to a college football stadium in Texas to play a match. The Dynamo are currently constructing a beautiful-looking new stadium in their downtown center that will hopefully do wonders for the sport in this most American of states. Someone in Texas needs to put the sport on the map considering that the comically contradictory FC Dallas are as poor in the stands as they are fantastic on the field. There is support in Houston of course, with organized groups and a consistently decent attendance given the current setup. But while soccer specific stadiums continue to open across the country, Houston will have to hope that they can avoid the troubles that have seen other stadiums go up but struggle to fill up (suddenly thirsty for a Red Bull). Before MLS attempts to be a truly ‘national’ league by expanding to the Southeast, they need to get things right in the great state of Texas. Fortunately, the Dynamo are investing and building what appears to be a very sustainable future in a place where it’s badly needed for this sport in America.

This include Leo Gonzalez’s “simulation”…

[Show as slideshow]

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A 79th minute goal from Steve Zakuani salvaged a point for Sounders FC in Friday night’s 1-1 draw against the Houston Dynamo.

Zakuani’s goal came on the far left post after Zach Scott headed a low-driven corner kick delivered by Erik Friberg.

Despite out-shooting the team in orange by a margin of 26-6, the Sounders struggled to get on the board despite countless opportunities to put the ball in the back of the net. Houston went up 1-0 in the 41st on a Geoff Cameron goal.

Seattle moves to 0-2-1 (1pt) on the 2011 season.

Sounders FC will next travel to the Bay Area to face the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, April 2 at Buck Shaw Stadium in Santa Clara. Kickoff is 730p.

Scoring Summary:
HOU — Geoff Cameron 1 (unassisted) 42
SEA — Steve Zakuani 1 (unassisted) 80

Houston Dynamo — Tally Hall, Kofi Sarkodie, Bobby Boswell, Andre Hainault, Hunter Freeman, Corey Ashe (Danny Cruz 85), Lovel Palmer, Geoff Cameron, Brad Davis, Will Bruin (Brian Ching 75), Jason Garey (Cam Weaver 46).

Substitutes Not Used: Mike Chabala, Alex Dixon, Eddie Robinson, Tyler Deric.

TOTAL SHOTS: 6 (Lovel Palmer 2); SHOTS ON GOAL: 2 (Geoff Cameron 1, Jason Garey 1); FOULS: 16 (Geoff Cameron 3, Andre Hainault 3); OFFSIDES: 4 (Jason Garey 2); CORNER KICKS: 1 (Brad Davis 1); SAVES: 7 (Tally Hall 7)

Seattle Sounders — Kasey Keller, Zach Scott, Patrick Ianni, Jeff Parke, Leo Gonzalez, Erik Friberg, Osvaldo Alonso, Brad Evans (Mauro Rosales 71), Steve Zakuani, O’Brian White (Nate Jaqua 61), Fredy Montero.

Substitutes Not Used: Servando Carrasco, Alvaro Fernandez, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, Tyson Wahl, Terry Boss.

TOTAL SHOTS: 26 (Fredy Montero 7); SHOTS ON GOAL: 8 (Fredy Montero 3, O’Brian White 3); FOULS: 15 (Leo Gonzalez 3, Nate Jaqua 3); OFFSIDES: 5 (Steve Zakuani 3); CORNER KICKS: 12 (Erik Friberg 10); SAVES: 1 (Kasey Keller 1)

Misconduct Summary:
HOU — Hunter Freeman (caution; Tactical Foul) 2
HOU — Lovel Palmer (caution; Reckless Foul) 30
SEA — Patrick Ianni (caution; Reckless Foul) 43
HOU — Geoff Cameron (caution; Reckless Tackle) 46
SEA — Leo Gonzalez (caution; Simulation) 73

Referee: Ramon Hernandez
Referee’s Assistants: -Kermit Quisenberry; Bill Dittmar
4th Official: Daniel Fitzgerald
Attendance: 36,204
Time of Game: 1:51
Weather: Cloudy-and-46-degrees

Sounders FC come into the match off back-to-back 1-0 losses to start the season. Seattle last lost consecutivematches from June 10-July 4, 2010, dropping three in a row. Seattle Sounders FC Injury List OUT: FW Mike Fucito (R adductor strain) DOUBTFUL: FW Nate Jaqua (hip surgery recovery); MF Brad Evans (R hamstring strain) QUESTIONABLE: MF Michael Seamon (R leg neuritis) PROBABLE: MF Steve Zakuani (hip injury); MF Pat Noonan (L adductor strain) The match will be broadcast nationally on the Fox Soccer Channel with JP Dellacamera (play-by-play), Kyle Martino (color) and Brian Dunseth (sideline). Kickoff is slated for 7p. Ramon Hernandez is slated to be the match’s official.

Sounders FC warm-up before training at the IMG Soccer Academy in Bradenton, Fla. (Photo Courtesy of Seattle Sounders FC)

Quotes Added [1245p]

Sounders FC was back at it again in the Sunshine State as they took on the Houston Dynamo on Tuesday morning in a training game in Orlando.

The Orange got up on the Rave Green early when Cam Weaver scored in the 11th minute on a pass from Geoff Cameron. Houston added a second in the 57th off of a corner kick.

But the Sounders were resilient; after O’Brian White was taken down in the penalty box, Fredy Montero converted the penalty kick to put Seattle on the board.

Eight minutes later, rookie Michael Tetteh scored on a 1-2 combination with Roger Levesque to gain the eventual draw.

Sounders FC lineup: GK Kasey Keller (Josh Ford 45′). DEF: James Riley (Richard Martinez 67′), Jhon Kennedy Hurtado (Taylor Graham 67′), Jeff Parke (Leone Cruz 67′), Leo Gonzalez (Michael Tetteh 67′). MID: Alvaro Fernandez (Roger Levesque 67′), Osvaldo Alonso (Servando Carrasco 67′), Brad Evans (Jonathan Preito 67′), Steve Zakuani (Miguel Montano 67′). FWD: Fredy Montero (Pat Noonan 67′), O’Brian White (Lamar Neagle 67′).

The Sounders are now 2-2-2 in the 2011 MLS Pre-Season. They will next take on the University of Central Florida in a training game on Thursday morning at 10a PT.

From the Sounders Media Dept.

Injury Update

Forward Nate Jaqua, midfielder Erik Friberg and defender Pat Ianni were held out of the training game.

Quotes from Head Coach Sigi Schmid

(On the training game…) “It’s good that we came back from 2-0 down but I thought in the first half we actually played some pretty good soccer. I thought we created some good opportunities. If it wouldn’t be for bad luck we would have no luck. It was a situation where I was looking for the chances we could create for ourselves. We have got to do a better job finishing, that’s got to be better. We have also got to do a better job of not dominating and then conceding a goal at the other end of the field. We have got to cut out those mistakes. Overall, I was pleased with the soccer. I thought it was better and I was happy with the fact that we came back equalized the game in the second half.”

(On the team’s scoring…) “I didn’t think we deserved to lose the game today, for sure. It was good. The penalty was good by O’Brian [White] trying to shield it. [Fredy] Montero buries the penalty and then the second goal was a great combination between [Roger] Leveque and Michael Tetteh. I thought we had some other opportunities where we were right there knocking on the door. If we continue to do that, things will turn out alright. There’s always a point in every game where you’re not going to dominate the game, where the other team is going to get it and right now what we’re doing is we are giving up goals in those periods of time. We’ve just got to be able to eliminate that and we’ve got to work on defending set pieces as well because that was an Achilles heel last year and it’s something we haven’t worked on at all so far this year. I usually don’t work on it in the first two, three weeks but they’ll get a steady diet of that from now on.”

(On impressions of two training games in Orlando…) “It was good because we were able to push guys 60 minutes. We were able to play two different units. It gave guys opportunities to step up and make a case for themselves. I always say I don’t make decisions, players make decisions for me. Guys had an opportunity to make their case as to why they should be on the team or why they shouldn’t be on the team.”

(On players that impressed…) “Like I said, I thought we had some good moments. I thought [Osvaldo] Alonso played very well in the first half. I thought Leo Gonzalez was very good as well in the first half. Obviously [Fredy] Montero I thought had, outside of the one that hit the post, had some other good opportunities. [Steve] Zakuani had some key moments. There were some good one-two’s from [Alvaro] Fernandez on the right side of the field as well that got him in behind. I was pleased. The second group that came out I thought Roger Levesque played with great energy. We play him at right back, right midfield and he’s doing a great job there. I thought as well that [Servando] Carrasco came in and played well for us in the middle of midfield. Obviously [Michael] Tetteh scores a great goal. We’ll get his defending better but he’s got some instincts offensively that you can’t teach. At the end of the day, I think he’s going to be a very good player for us on the left side.”

(On Erik Friberg and Patrick Ianni…) “We are just being cautious with both of them. We are seeing how Erik comes along. We will get a better idea tomorrow. Are they such that they might be able to play on Saturday?  Don’t know. We’ll see how that works but for sure we think by the time we play the Cascadia Summit they should be ready to go.”

James Riley put Seattle up early in the12th minute as he was fed at the top of the box by Nate Jaqua to give the Sounders (14-10-6, 48 points) the early lead. It was Riley’s 1st goal as a Sounder and second of his MLS career.

The loss snapped Seattle’s record five-game winning streak (six games unbeaten) in MLS. Sounders FC ended the second-half of the season with a 10-2-3 record.

Houston got the equalizer in the 27th minute as Geoff Cameron hit a left footed shot that beat Kasey Keller to the far post.

The Dynamo went up 2-1 in the 46th minute when Cam Weaver’s header beat Keller.

But the match wasn’t without controversy. In the 35th, Steve Zakuani was taken down by the Houston goalkeeper Deric on a breakaway, yet was issued a yellow card for simulation while the Dyanmo keeper was unscathed and unpunished.

Seattle finishes the 2010 regular season with two more wins and one more point than 2009. Montero and Zakuani lead the team with 10 goals each, Montero has a franchise-record 10 assists and Keller’s 11 shutouts is one more than his 2009 total.

With their opponent still unknown, the Sounders will host the 1st leg of the MLS Playoffs next Sunday, October 31st at 5p from Qwest Field.

Scoring Summary:
SEA – James Riley 1 (Nate Jaqua 3) 12′
HOU – Geoff Cameron 3 (Dominic Oduro 4, Brad Davis 11) 27′
HOU – Cam Weaver 3 (Mike Chabala 4, Brad Davis 12) 46′

Houston Dynamo – Tyler Deric, Andrew Hainault, Bobby Boswell, Eddie Robinson (Adrian Serioux 67), Mike Chabala, Corey Ashe, Lovel Palmer, Geoff Cameron, Brad Davis (Danny Cruz 82), Cam Weaver (Brian Ching 73), Dominic Oduro.
Substitutes Not Used:Pat Onstad, Ryan Cochrane, Richard Mulrooney, Joseph Ngwenya.

TOTAL SHOTS: 11; SHOTS ON GOAL: 4; FOULS: 13; OFFSIDES: 6; CORNER KICKS: 9; SAVES: 5.

Seattle Sounders FC – Kasey Keller, James Riley, Patrick Ianni, Jeff Parke (Tyrone Marshall 45), Leo Gonzalez (Tyson Wahl 71), Sanna Nyassi, Osvaldo Alonso, Nathan Sturgis (Alvaro Fernandez 64), Steve Zakuani, Blaise Nkufo, Nate Jaqua.

Substitutes Not Used: Alex Horwath, Roger Levesque, Michael Seamon, Mike Fucito.

TOTAL SHOTS: 8; SHOTS ON GOAL: 6; FOULS: 9; OFFSIDES: 2; CORNER KICKS: 1; SAVES: 2.

Misconduct Summary:
SEA – Jeff Parke (caution; Reckless Tackle) 29
HOU – Cam Weaver (caution; Persistent Infringement) 33
SEA – Steve Zakuani (caution; Simulation) 35
SEA – Leo Gonzalez (caution; Persistent Infringement) 41

Referee: Kevin Stott
Referee’s Assistants: -Fabio Tovar; Adam Garner
4th Official: Ramon Hernandez
Attendance: 23,990
Time of Game: 1:53
Weather: Cloudy and 83 degrees

oh. where were we…  you came here for a sounders blog? right. got it.

well well well. it is becoming fun again isn’t it? winning is always fun. so let’s just keep doing this thing.. the winning thing.

- montero continues to mature. his play off the ball has been phenomenal. the way he held up that defender to maintain the ball, and then slot home the first is something i haven’t seen out of him before.  10 more games like this… and seriously, he could be the league mvp. there is no joke in that. his pass for the second goal was sick. it was great. that was also kellers first assist for the sounders.

oh, and for those that don’t follow me on twitter, and therefore already read this, (btw you should…. @yamsmos) i saw montero before the match and he as representing a full on cosby sweater. it was beauty full.

- nkufo… a little bit of the same. he still seems to be a little heavy footed. when he should have gone right, he went left. when he should trap, he flicks on. however, it isn’t all bad. he sure as hell attracts a lot of attention and montero doesn’t feel like he has to do it all on his own, and is free to roam. that is pretty obvious and it has breathed new life into him. nkufo will get his…. let’s just hope it is sooner rather than later.

- zakuani… he has going a little dark lately hasn’t he? is it our new players? are we not depending on the wing as much? not sure it is any of those things, but i wouldn’t mind him figuring it out a little b/c right now, nyassi is looking to be more like the threat.

- el flaco, or “2D” as we like to call him. boy, he really is skinny isn’t he? it is like you walked into a hall of mirrors fun house, looked into the mirror, saw your “sigi” pearshaped body in front of you only to turn around and see your el flacco stick of a bod. he was a little absent and nervous in his first ten minutes, but no matter, he took montero’s pass… tried his best to mess up his first touch, but then slotted it home. i honestly have nothing against ljungberg, and i still like him… but … err…. freddie who? right?

fred. love ya. we rode you into the playoffs last year… but if fernandez keeps averaging a goal every 20 minutes, you will be very quickly forgotten?

- the ref. i haven’t bitched about a ref in a while… but he was bad wasn’t he?  he sure seemed to think really hard about every call in that short squatty stance of his and then flipped a coin and basically got it wrong every other time. it is silly and immature to make fun of someones height, and that is why it is fun btw, but “go back into your hobbit hole” was my favorite jab that i heard last night.

- and finally. the day started off with our council meeting with the FO. Adrian, Gary and Joe were there, and it was easily the best meeting we have had to date. the formalities are gone and honest opinions are debated. i enjoyed this meeting thoroughly. i will write up what i can later this week, but a lot of interesting stuff was talked about. i can tell you that vuvuzelas, friendlies, away support, CCL, golden scarf and much much more was debated, and while i didn’t agree with all of it, the sheer fact that the FO is taking everything as serious as it can, is refreshing.

sounders are now 47% likely to get into the playoffs…. not quite there yet, but the playoff race is well and truly on.

Seattle used a 64th minute Fredy Montero goal assisted by Kasey Keller to break the scoreless tie with Houston. The nail in the coffin came 25 minutes later when Montero slid a pass to Alvaro Fernandez to put the Sounders up 2-0.

Sounders FC have now won 4 games in a row and are unbeaten in 5.

Scoring Summary
SEA — Fredy Montero 8 (Kasey Keller 1) 64
SEA — Alvaro Fernandez 1 (Fredy Montero 9, Nate Jaqua 1) 88

Seattle Sounders — Kasey Keller, James Riley, Patrick Ianni, Jeff Parke, Leo Gonzalez, Sanna Nyassi (Mike Seamon 85), Osvaldo Alonso, Nathan Sturgis, Steve Zakuani (Alvaro Fernandez 69), Fredy Montero, Blaise Nkufo (Nate Jaqua 87).

Substitutes Not Used: Roger Levesque, Tyrone Marshall, Zach Scott, Terry Boss.

TOTAL SHOTS: 14 (Osvaldo Alonso 5); SHOTS ON GOAL: 9 (Osvaldo Alonso 2, Fredy Montero 2); FOULS: 13 (Nathan Sturgis 4); OFFSIDES: 1 (Sanna Nyassi 1); CORNER KICKS: 10 (Nathan Sturgis 7); SAVES: 0

Misconduct Summary
SEA — Sanna Nyassi (caution; Unsporting Behavior) 28
SEA — James Riley (caution; Reckless Foul) 32
SEA — Blaise Nkufo (caution; Unsporting Behavior) 50
HOU — Brian Mullan (caution; Reckless Tackle) 59
HOU — Mike Chabala (caution; Reckless Foul) 59
SEA — Nathan Sturgis (caution; Unsporting Behavior) 70

Referee: Michael Kennedy
Referee’s Assistants: -Chris Strickland; Jeff Hosking
4th Official: Alejandro Mariscal
Attendance: 36,111
Time of Game: 1:50
Weather: Partly Cloudy-and-67-degrees

The Sounders are 3-0-1 in their last four MLS matches and 6-1-2 in all competitions over their last nine.

Houston (5-8-5, 18pts) is going for its first victory since late May and play 6 of their next 9 on the road.

Seattle looks to continue to fire on all cylinders behind the play of Fredy Montero, the MLS Player of the Month for July. The Colombian has scored a goal or contributed an assist in each of Seattle last 8 MLS matches. A streak that includes 12 of the Rave Green’s last 15 goals.

The Sounders will also look to get the two newest players to the club involved more. Uruguayan Alvaro Fernandez is expected to make his first Qwest Field appearance and Swiss Forward, Blaise Nkufo, is nearing complete game fitness. As these two become more entwined with the club, the expectations are high.

Kickoff is slated for 8p from Qwest and can be seen on KONG 6/16. [Tickets]

LA will play the winner of Saturday’s Real Salt Lake & Chicago Fire match.