The Seattle Sounders visit the Houston Dynamo on Sunday in their second and final meeting of the season. Here's everything you need to know:
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is at 2:00 p.m. PT at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, Tex.
WHERE TO WATCH: The match will be televised on JOEtv, YouTube TV and Univision-Seattle.
HOW TO LISTEN: The match will air on 950 KJR AM and in Spanish on El Rey 1360 AM.
2018 RECORDS AND STANDINGS: Sounders: 16-11-5 (53 points, 4th West), Dynamo: 9-15-8 (35 points, 10th West)
FORM GUIDE (most recent first): Seattle: WWWLL, Houston: LLWDW
ALL-TIME HISTORY: The Sounders are 6-4-6 all-time against the Dynamo, including a 0-4-4 record on the road in the regular season.
PREVIOUS MEETING: Seattle and Houston faced off just 10 days ago, with the Sounders thrashing the Dynamo 4-1 at CenturyLink Field. Will Bruin opened the scoring in the 18th minute as he guided his left-footed shot into the top corner. Cristian Roldan doubled the advantage in the 34th minute off a ruthlessly efficient counter-attack, led by Nicolás Lodeiro. A second half brace from Víctor Rodríguez sealed the result for the Rave Green.
CLINCHED: With the 2-1 win over Orlando City SC on Wednesday, the Sounders have clinched a 10th consecutive playoff berth, one for each season of the club’s existence in MLS. It ties the record for the longest streak in league history, and is the longest active streak.
CHERRY ON TOP: By scoring twice against Orlando City, the Sounders condemned the Lions to having the worst defensive record in league history, with 72 goals conceded, surpassing the 70-goal mark set by Minnesota United in 2017.
RED-HOT RODRÍGUEZ: Rodríguez has been on fire during the team’s current three-match win streak, tallying four goals and two assists. Beyond the stat sheet, the Spaniard has been critical to Seattle’s attack, which has tallied 10 goals in its last three matches, with his clever movement and dynamic combination play.
YOU WANT SOME SALSA WITH THAT CHIP? On the topic of Rodríguez, it’s worth highlighting his audacious volleyed goal against Orlando City. Everything about this play was spectacular: his movement into the gap created by Roldan, the timing of his run, the spatial awareness, and the technique to lob the goalkeeper with a deft touch while airborne.
I BWANA KEEP ROLLIN’: Speaking of players in form, Homegrown winger Handwalla Bwana has hit the ground running since his return from injury. In his latest three appearances, the Sounders Academy alum has recorded one goal and one assist.
REINFORCEMENTS FOR THE REMATCH: The Sounders dismantled the Dynamo on Oct. 8 despite missing several key players through international duty. For Sunday’s match in Houston, the trio of Raúl Ruidíaz, Gustav Svensson and Lodeiro will all have returned from representing their respective national teams. The same goes for Houston, though, as they will likely enjoy the services of their two most productive attacking players, Romell Quioto and Alberth Elis.
TWO THUMBS-UP FOR BRUIN: Seattle’s No. 17 has been absolutely lethal against his former club since he signed with Seattle, registering four goals and one assist across five appearances in the regular season and playoffs.
WINLESS IN HOUSTON: The Sounders have never won a regular season match in Houston, though the Rave Green did secure a 2-0 victory at BBVA Compass Stadium in the 2017 Western Conference Finals.
