Referee Chris Penso will be the head official at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston for the first leg of the Western Conference Championship between the Seattle Sounders and Houston Dynamo on Tuesday, Nov. 21 (6:30 p.m. PT; FS1, FOX Deportes, KIRO Radio 97.3 FM, El Rey 1360 AM), the Professional Referee Organization announced on Wednesday. He will be joined by assistants Jeff Muschik and CJ Morgante, fourth official Armando Villarreal and Video Assistant Referee Kevin Stott.
Penso refereed the Sounders’ 3-0 win over the Colorado Rapids at CenturyLink Field on Oct. 22. He issued two red cards, one to Sounders forward Clint Dempsey and the other to Rapids defender Axel Sjöberg, in addition to six yellow cards.
Referee Hilario Grajeda will be the head official for the return leg at CenturyLink Field on Thursday, Nov. 30 (7:30 p.m. PT; ESPN, ESPN Deportes, KIRO Radio 97.3 FM, El Rey 1360 AM | TICKETS). He will be joined by assistants Peter Balciunas and Corey Parker, fourth official Alan Kelly and Video Assistant Referee Edvin Jurisevic.