The Major League Soccer regular season is fast reaching the business end of proceedings and things are getting exciting in the Western Conference.
On Tuesday, Seattle Sounders host Houston Dynamo at CenturyLink Field with a win vital for both teams progress this season. Seattle Sounders need a win to maintain their place in the playoff places and possibly close the gap on the top two. Houston Dynamo must win this game or their season could be over.
Seattle Sounders come into this match well rested following their previous MLS game which was last Saturday. They won that match 4-0 at home against Colorado Rapids, who have already been eliminated this season. However, it was a big win for Seattle Sounders who lost their two matches prior to that game.
Those two defeats are a blemish on what has been a good period of recent form for Seattle Sounders and trends show they have lost only two of their last fifteen MLS matches. They have won ten of their last twelve and this excellent run has propelled them into the playoff places this season.
Seattle Sounders have won six of their last seven home MLS games and scored 2 or more goals in each of their six victories. In addition, Seattle Sounders have conceded no more than a single goal in each of their last seven home matches, keeping three clean sheets.
Houston Dynamo cannot afford to drop any more points if they are to have a chance of reaching the playoffs. They begin the weekend in 10th place and only a win will do if they want to have something to play for heading into the final stages of the season.
Despite their current position in the Western Conference, form has improved for Houston Dynamo in recent weeks. They have won three and drawn one of their last four games in all competitions. Included in those three wins is the final of the US Open Cup, which Houston Dynamo claimed by defeating Philadelphia Union 3-0.
However, away form has been dreadful. Houston Dynamo have won just two of their last thirty-one away MLS games, which highlights why they are in the wrong section of the Western Conference. You must go back to the 20th May to find their last away win and they have since lost seven and drawn two of their nine away games.
Looking ahead to the team news and Seattle Sounders will be without Jordan Morris who has a knee injury and Felix Chenkam who has a herniated disc. Lamar Neagle and Brad Smith are both rated as doubtful for the game.
Houston Dynamo will be without Mac Steeves who continues to struggle with a hip injury. Every other player is fit and available for Wilmer Cabrera’s team.
On paper there looks like being only one winner in this game, Seattle Sounders. They have a great home record while Houston Dynamo are awful on the road. Expect to see a home win and clean sheet for Seattle Sounders.