Dynamo begin playoffs in Seattle
(image via Ricky Vega)
The Houston Dynamo begin the MLS Cup Playoffs tonight in Seattle against the Sounders. This is game one of the best-of-three series. Houston and Seattle have met twice this season, drawing 2-2 in Houston and the Sounders winning 1-0 in Seattle.
When: Monday, October 28 | 8:00 PM CT kickoff
Where: Lumen Field; Seattle, Washington
TV/Stream: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV - free
Radio: TUDN Deportes Houston 93.3 FM (Spanish)
Time to Grind
For the second straight season, the Houston Dynamo have made the MLS Cup Playoffs. And for the second straight season, the first round is a best-of-three series. Regardless of what you think of this format, it is very unique. Last year, the Dynamo ultimately beat Real Salt Lake in the first round after winning the third game in penalty kicks. That is another wrinkle to this format, there will be a winner in every match. If a game is tied after 90 minutes it will go straight to penalties to determine a winner. The first team to win two matches will advance to the next round.
Seattle Slump
As we said in the previous paragraph, the Dynamo have to win two matches to advance to the next round. With two of three matches in Seattle, this means Houston will have to win at least once in The Emerald City. This means the Dynamo will have to do something they have never done before, win in Seattle. Houston has only ever drawn in Seattle twice, in 2011 and 2016. Since that 2016 draw, the Dynamo have lost eight straight matches at the home of the Sounders. A draw and a win on penalties will do, but even that is something pretty foreign to this team.
Defense Wins Championships
You often hear the phrase “defense wins championships” in the other American sports come playoff time. The same might be said in MLS and especially in this series. The Dynamo conceded the second fewest goals this season in the Western Conference, and third lowest in all of MLS, with 39. The team the conceded the fewest, the Seattle Sounders with just 35 in 34 matches. Seattle is anchored by Defender of the Year nominee Jackson Ragen and his centerback partner who could have also been in that conversation, Yeimar. Tonight’s match, and this series, will most likely come down to which team can find a goal when needed. The scoring may be few and far between so being able to break through these two elite backlines will ultimately decide who advances.
Houston Dynamo – Out: Lawrence Ennali (knee), Nelson Quinones (knee), Brad Smith (thigh)
Seattle Sounders FC – Out: Obed Vargas (suspension); Questionable: Josh Atencio (head), Cody Baker (head)
Predicted Lineup
