The Seattle Sounders are visiting the Houston Dynamo on Saturday (5:30 p.m. PT; FOX 13+, El Rey 1360AM). Here are three matchups to watch:
Will Bruin vs. Tim Parker
While Raúl RuidÃaz is in Peru, Bruin is poised to make his third straight start. The hulking No. 9 has been brilliant over the last 180 minutes, scoring once and adding two assists to help lead Seattle to two commanding wins. He’ll be up against Parker, one of the league’s best domestic center backs, trying to get his name on the score sheet yet again.
Cristian Roldan vs. MatÃas Vera
Fresh off his stint with the United States national team for 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, Roldan is meeting the team in Houston and will likely step right back into the Starting XI. The elder Roldan has been phenomenal all season, and particularly the last four matches before he departed for USMNT camp when he recorded four goals and three assists. He’ll be a tough man to track for Vera in Houston’s defensive midfield, and if Roldan runs riot, it could be a long day for the Dynamo.
Shane O’Neill vs. Fafa Picault
With Yeimar suspended and Xavier Arreaga returning from international duty, the onus defensively will fall to O’Neill, who also scored his first goal of the season last time out. Picault looks like a man reborn in his first season in Houston, recording 11 goals and five assists, and is one of the Dynamo’s only real threats offensively. O’Neill will need to organize his defense to help keep the pacey attacker from running at the back line where he’s been brilliant all season.
