The Seattle Sounders are visiting the Houston Dynamo on Saturday in their second and final meeting of the regular season. Here is everything you need to know:
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is at 5:30 p.m. PT at PNC Stadium in Houston, Texas.
WHERE TO WATCH: The match will be televised on FOX 13+ and Prime Video.
WHERE TO LISTEN: The match will air on SoundersFC.com and El Rey 1360AM.
2021 RECORDS AND STANDINGS: Sounders: 17-5-6 (57 points, 1st West), Houston: 5-12-12 (27 points, 12th West)
PREVIOUS MEETING: The Sounders defeated the Dynamo 2-0 at home on July 7 behind goals from Kelyn Rowe and Raúl Ruidíaz. The Sounders set an MLS record by starting a season going 13 matches unbeaten.
FORM GUIDE (most recent first): Seattle: WWWWL, Houston: LDLWD
POSTSEASON INEVITABLES: The Sounders clinched a postseason berth for the 13th consecutive season, extending their own MLS record.
RETURNING INTERNATIONALS: Following a 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifying window, the Sounders will see the return of Ruidíaz (Peru), Cristian Roldan (United States), Alex Roldan (El Salvador), Nouhou (Cameroon) and Xavier Arreaga (Ecuador), all of whom missed Seattle’s 4-1 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps last weekend.
COMING IN HOT: Since their loss to Liga MX’s Club Leon in the Leagues Cup Final on Sept. 22, the Sounders have rattled off four consecutive MLS wins over two of the top teams in the West in Sporting Kansas City and the Colorado Rapids, as well as playoff hopefuls the San Jose Earthquakes and Vancouver Whitecaps.
YEIMAR SUSPENDED: In order to make it five wins in a row, Seattle will have to do so without 2021 MLS All-Star center back Yeimar, who will miss the match due to yellow-card accumulation after picking up a caution in their contest last weekend.
DEFENSIVE LOCKDOWN: The Sounders still own the best defensive record and goal difference mark in MLS. Seattle has conceded just 23 goals in 28 matches and has a plus-25 goal differential.
TEXAS TWO-STEP: The Dynamo are led by Fafa Picault and Maxi Urruti, two former FC Dallas attackers who have been the lone bright spots in an otherwise disappointing season for Houston. Picault has 11 goals and five assists, while Urruti has bagged six goals and added three helpers.
WINLESS RUN: Before their 3-0 win over Texas newcomers Austin FC on Sept. 11, the Dynamo went winless in 16 matches dating back to May, which all but ended their playoff chances. They went 0-8-8 in that stretch.
HOME-FIELD ADVANTAGE: Despite their struggles this season, the Dynamo have only lost three times in 14 matches at PNC Stadium (5-3-6). Where they’ve dropped points is on the road, as they are the only team in MLS without an away win this season (0-9-6).
