The Seattle Sounders are taking on the Houston Dynamo in a two-leg Western Conference Championship in the Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs with a spot in MLS Cup on the line. Here are three matchups to watch.
Sounders right back Kelvin Leerdam vs. Dynamo left winger Alberth Elis
Kelvin Leerdam has been a massive addition since he signed with the Sounders on July 1. Seattle is 8-2-6 in his 16 starts in the regular season and postseason and has been one of the best defensive teams in the league.
He’ll get his first taste of pacy 21-year-old Honduran attacker Alberth Elis, who will line up on the left wing in Houston’s 4-3-3 formation. On loan from Liga MX side Monterrey, Elis registered 10 goals and four assists in 26 matches. He is coming off a ton of travel after Honduras fell 3-1 on aggregate to Australia for a spot in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, but he will still likely pose problems. If Leerdam can limit his impact, especially in the first leg in Houston, Seattle should be in tremendous shape to reach its second straight MLS Cup.
Sounders center backs Chad Marshall and Román Torres vs. Dynamo forward Erick “Cubo” Torres
Chad Marshall and Román Torres were massive in the Western Conference Semifinals, limiting the Vancouver Whitecaps to just one shot on goal across two legs and keeping Fredy Montero from any legitimate opportunities. They will have another major challenge with Dynamo forward Cubo Torres, who has had a renaissance performance this season with a team-high 14 goals. Minimizing Cubo’s touches in and around the box will go a long way in keeping Houston off the scoresheet.
Sounders forward Clint Dempsey vs. Dynamo center back Philippe Senderos
Clint Dempsey and Philippe Senderos know each other well. The two were teammates at Fulham from 2010-12 when the Swiss international joined Dempsey at Craven Cottage. Houston signed Senderos in August, and he’s been incredibly solid since returning from injury. He’s started all three playoff matches for the Dynamo, anchoring a Houston defense that has allowed just one goal.
Dempsey, meanwhile, enters the conference finals after recording a series-winning brace against the Vancouver Whitecaps last round. He finished 2017 with a team-high 12 goals en route to being named the MLS Comeback Player of the Year. He missed Seattle’s entire run to MLS Cup last year with an irregular heartbeat, and he has his eyes set on helping the Sounders win back-to-back titles.
The first leg will be at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, Texas, on Tuesday, Nov. 21 (6:30 p.m. PT; FS1, FOX Deportes, KIRO Radio 97.3 FM, El Rey 1360 AM). The second leg will take place at CenturyLink Field in Seattle on Thursday, Nov. 30 (7:30 p.m. PT; ESPN, ESPN Deportes, KIRO Radio 97.3 FM, El Rey 1360 AM | TICKETS).
