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.

Nate Jaqua scored two goals against LA in the 2010 USOC Quarterfinals (Chris Coulter Photo)

It’s a quick 3-day rest period, but the Sounders return to action on Wednesday night in the Quarterfinals of the US Open Cup taking on the LA Galaxy at Starfire.

Seattle has advanced to the Quarterfinals by defeating the PDL’s Kitsap Pumas, 2-1 thanks to two goals from Mike Fucito. The Galaxy, who lead MLS in points, played the Los Angeles Blues and found themselves down 0-1 in the 75th minute, but came back to defeat the USL Pro side, 2-1.

The Sounders are looking to advance to the Semifinals against FC Dallas- which would be hosted by Seattle, but a club that has given Rave Green fits in MLS play, stands in the way. LA & Seattle have faced off twice in 2011 already including a 0-1 First Kick loss at Qwest and a scoreless draw in LA on the Fourth of July.

These two teams met last year in the USOC Quarterfinals as well; Last year, two second-half goals from Nate Jaqua sent Seattle into the Semifinals. That has been Seattle’s only victory over LA in the past 7 matches.

Although Sounders FC is looking to become the first 3-peat champions of the USOC in the Professional Era, LA has a solid history in the USOC. The Galaxy raised the Cup in  2001 and 2005 and made it to the finals in 2006 & ’06.

Kickoff is slated for 7p. A video stream should be available on SoundersFC.com.

Ozzie Alonso against the Timbers in Round 1 (Chris Coulter Photo)

The Pre Game release by Sounders FC

North America’s most spirited soccer rivalry meets the light of midday on Sunday afternoon when Seattle Sounders FC invade the ground of the Portland Timbers for the third Cascadia Cup fixture of 2011. First kick is 1 p.m. PT and ESPN and ESPN Deportes will televise the match nationally from JELD-WEN Field.

Sounders FC will turn around and play a quarterfinal Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup game three days later. They host the L.A. Galaxy at Starfire Sports Stadium on July 13 at 7 p.m. PT.

The Rave Green are on the verge of an 11-day test of stamina an depth. Four matches will be played over the stretch that begins in the Rose City and concludes with the Manchester United friendly on July 20.

Seattle (8-4-8, 32 points) rides south with a club record seven-match unbeaten streak (4-0-3) in MLS, eight games in all competitions and five games undefeated on the road following the scoreless draw against the Galaxy on July 4. The total of 32 points is third in the league.

Sounders FC are 3-2-5 away this season and have fared well in matinees, going 2-0-1. Their record through 20 matches is the best in the club’s three-year existence.

Portland (5-8-3, 18 points) is searching for its first win since May 21. Since then the Timbers have gone 0-5-1, including a 2-1 home loss to Sporting Kansas City last week. Since winning their first five matches at JELD-WEN Field they have lost three and drawn one. Portland hosts Mexico’s Club America in a friendly on Thursday night.

In the first meeting between Seattle and Portland on May 14, Alvaro Fernandez staked the home side to a 52nd minute lead and Mamadou Danso answered in the 65th, heading home a free kick.

In Open Cup play Seattle has been next to perfect, with a mark of 10-0-1 in tournament-related games. A 2-1 win over Kitsap Pumas punched the ticket to the quarterfinal round.

This is the second year in a row that the Galaxy have come to Starfire for a quarterfinal. L.A. came from behind to beat the PDL Los Angeles Blues, 2-1, last week.

The Sounders FC-Galaxy winner moves on to the semifinal round, which begins August 30. They will be pitted against the FC Dallas-Real Salt Lake victor.

Arlo White will be on the call for Sunday’s radio broadcast on 97.3 KIRO FM.

Fredy Montero has 4 career goals against NYRB (Chris Coulter photo)

The Sounders will be hosting a New York side on Thursday Night at Qwest CenturyLink Stadium in front of a national crowd for ESPN2.

The Red Bulls will be short-sided with many of their stars absent; Thierry Henry will be serving a 1-game suspension for earning a red card in last week’s match against Portland, and Rafa Marquez, Time Ream, and Juan Aguedelo are serving for their National Teams in the Gold Cup.

A 10-man Seattle is coming off a thrilling victory at Toronto thanks to a late-match heroic free-kick goal from Fredy Montero. The Rave Green are currently riding an unbeaten streak of four games and have 25 points from 17 games on the season. That is good enough to sit in third place in the Western Conference.

In five matches between the two clubs, each side has won two matches in addition to a 1-1 draw in 2009.

Kickoff is slated for 7p and will be broadcast on ESPN2- Glenn Davis and John Harkes will have the call. Expanded seating is available for this match and Sounders officials think the attendance could reach 50,000.

Diminutive-Statured Michael Kennedy, will be the lead referee.

Match Preview: vs Red Bulls from Seattle Sounders FC on Vimeo.

Seattle (5-4-5, 20pts) is coming off a 2-1 victory at Real Salt Lake, where the Sounders ended a 2-year undefeated streak for RSL at Rio Tinto Stadium behind goals by Patrick Ianni and Lamar Neagle.

For Chicago, it will be the first match for new head coach, Frank Kloppas, as he tries to right a Fire squad that is winless in their last 9 matches. The Fire is giving up 1.73 goal per game and will be hosting a Sounders club that leads the league in shots (194), and are second in shots on goal (64) and corners (77).

Historically, Seattle has not lost to Chicago and boasts a 3-0-2 record against the Fire including 3 consecutive victories.

Saturday’s kickoff is slated for 530p PT from Toyota Park.

Arlo White will be calling the match on KONG 6/26. Additionally, the match will be shown on ROOT Sports.

• Terry Vaughn will be the referee
• Alvaro Fernandez is noted as “Questionable”

After missing the last five games, KC’s Designated Player Omar Bravo is listed as probable following a recovery from a sports hernia. He is expected to be available for selection on Saturday to bolster a Sporting KC attack that has been shutouttwice in the last four matches after opening the year with eight goals in the first three games. Sporting KC has not won since their 1st match of 2011.

Saturday’s match against the Rave Green will be the first of three matches that Sporting KC (1-5-1) will play in the next 8 days.

The Sounders (3-3-5), meanwhile, enter in fifth place in the Western Conference and have lost just once in their last nine matches. With a victory, Seattle can jump to second in the West.

In the all-time series between the two clubs, the Sounders lead 3-1-0. Sporting KC handed the Sounders their first-ever MLS defeat at Qwest Field, but have lost the last three MLS matches between the two teams.

For Seattle, Mauro Rosales and Erik Friberg are noted as questionable for the match, but both have trained at full strength in this week’s training. Brad Evans, who leads Seattle with 3 goals, is noted as questionable as well, but in more unlikely than Rosales and Friberg.

Scouting Report: vs Sporting KC from Seattle Sounders FC on Vimeo.

Local TV: KONG 6/16
Local Radio: 97.3 KIRO FM
Talent: Arlo White and Erin Mayovsky (sideline)
Pregame Talent: Chris Egan with Alan Hinton (TV); Matt Johnson with Jimmy Gabriel (radio)

Spanish Radio: La Gran D 99.3 FM
Talent: Rene Aleman, Victor Hernandez and Noe Menendez

That time has come.

Although this will be the first match between the two sides at the MLS level, it is one that dates back to May 2, 1975 with the clubs playing in the NASL, Western Soccer League, A-League, and most recently, USL. It will be the 75th match between the rivals.

Sounders FC (3-3-4, 13pts) returns to Qwest Field after a two-game East Coast trip that saw the Rave Green lose to DC United 1-2 and draw with the Columbus Crew. The loss to DC is Seattle’s only defeat in their past 8 matches.

Seattle is looking for its third consecutive victory on the XBOX Pitch.

Brad Evans, who is leading Seattle with 4 goals, participated in full training with the club this week and should be good to go for the match. Mauro Rosales, who is leading the Sounders with 3 assists, will be a game time decision due to a strained hamstring.

The Timbers come in with 13points as well with their 4-3-1 record after beating Philadelphia last week maintaining their perfect record in the Rose City. However, Portland is 0-3-1 away from Jen-Weld.

Kenny Cooper leads the Portland attack with three goals on a team-high 18 shots (8 SOG). Jack Jewsbury has scored twice with three assists and has played all 720 minutes. Ghanaian midfielder Kalif Alhassan leads the team with four assists.

Seattle will need to watch out for the Timbers on set pieces. Portland has scored three goals from free kicks this season – most in MLS – and four goals out of their 11 for the year have come from set pieces.

Kickoff is slated for 8p and will be broadcast nationally on ESPN2. Jair Marrufo will be the official.

NOTES

• Whether you are a member of a supporter group or not, please read the letter from the Emerald City Supporters’ leadership.
• Road Closures effecting traffic around Qwest.

DC is carrying into the match 7 points on 7 matches with a 2-4-1 record. However their recent form is the inverse of Seattle’s as they have been on the losing side of their last 2 where they were out-scored 8-1. United is led by US Men’s National Teamer Charlie Davies whose 5 goals is tops in the 2011 MLS Golden Boot Race and accounts for 50% of DC United’s output. But only two of those have come from the run of play.

Brad Evans leads the Sounders with three goals scored and Argentine midfielder Mauro Rosales is tops in assists with 3.

Wednesday’s match will be the Rave Green’s fourth trip to RFK; a stadium where Seattle won their 2009 & 2010 league matches against DC as well as the 2009 US Open Cup.

Steve Zakuani and O’Brian White are out for the match and Pat Noonan is noted as “Probable”.

Hilario Grajeda will be the man in the middle for the match; he reffed Seattle’s 2-1 victory over the Chicago Fire a few weeks ago.

The match from RFK Stadium is slated to kickoff at 430p on Wednesday. It will be broadcast on KONG 6/16 with Arlo White providing the call.

San Jose (1-1-0, 3pts) is returning to the friendly confines of Buck Shaw Stadium coming off a 2-0 win at FC Dallas. The 2010 Golden Boot winner, Chris Wondolowski tallied the brace for the ‘Quakes with goals in the 5th and 23rd minutes.

After starting this season with consecutive 0-1 losses to the LA Galaxy and New York Red Bulls, Seattle (0-2-1, 1pt) earned its first pointof the year in a 1-1 draw with the Houston Dynamo last Friday. Despite out-shooting the Dynamo 26-6, Seattle found itself down 0-1 at the intermission. But, the Rave Green used an 81st minute goal from Steve Zakuani to even the match through the final whistle. It was the first Sounder goal of the season.

Commenting on the Houston match, Sounders head boss, Sigi Schmid noted, “I think we deserved more than a tie. I’m very proud of the team. I’m very proud of the effort they put in. Right now we can’t get anything to break our way sometimes. So I’m happy that we fought back and got the equalizer. Like I said, we deserved more on the day.”

Seattle is 3-2-0 against San Jose in MLS play. The teams each won a 1-0 game on the road last year with goals by Wondolowski and Fredy Montero.

Speaking of the Colombian Designated Player, it is appearing that visiting side will be without Montero who is recovering from a wrist surgery performed on Thursday. Seattle will also be without Forward Mike Fucito. Defender James Riley, midfielder Pat Noonan, and defender Taylor Graham are questionable as well.

San Jose will be without midfielder Andre Luiz. Midfielder Omar Jasseh, forward Scott Sealy, and defender Tim Ward are doubtful. Steven Lenhart is questionable.

The gate is set to kick off at 730p on Saturday.

Edvin Jurisevic will be the man in the middle. He has previously officiated three Sounders matches; all were wins.

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.