While the Seattle Sounders are closing the season strong as they pursue a playoff spot, the playoff-bound Houston Dynamo are struggling.
The teams meet Wednesday night in Seattle, with Houston hoping to snap a seven-match winless streak and the Sounders aiming to earn points for the 12th time in 13 matches.
With a win over the Dynamo and a Portland Timbers loss or draw on the road against St. Louis City, the Sounders would clinch a playoff berth.
Seattle (11-10-10, 43 points) is seventh in the Western Conference, five points behind Houston (13-9-9, 48 points). However, the Sounders are 4-1-7 in their past 12 matches, while the fifth-place Dynamo are 0-2-5 in their past seven.
Seattle coach Brian Schmetzer said a busy schedule complicates the race to the end of the season.
“It’s not ideal,” he said of playing three games in eight days. “I gotta take this week and try and make sure I do a good job to ensure that for each particular game, we’re being smart about it because it’s the most important game we’re playing.
“But there has to be rotation because you’re playing three games against three top teams.”
The Sounders are coming off a 2-2 draw at San Diego on Saturday. They were headed for three points until a penalty in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time led to an equalizer.
Meanwhile, the Dynamo played to a scoreless draw against Minnesota United on Saturday. Goalkeeper Jonathan Bond made five saves to preserve the point and record his 11th clean sheet of the season.
Last week, Houston announced a contract extension for coach Ben Olsen through the 2027-28 season. Olsen has guided the team to its third playoff berth in four seasons at the helm.
“I am proud of the progress we have made together and the standards we have established,” Olsen said of the extension. “I am energized by the opportunity to continue building on our success and make the city of Houston proud.”
Olsen likely hopes to find more offense to complement the team’s strong defense.
The Dynamo’s 41 goals are tied for 23rd in the 30-team league.
–Field Level Media
