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Houston Dynamo
Major League Soccer
May 19, 2022 at 1.30am UK
Robertson Stadium
Seattle Sounders

Houston
0 - 1
Seattle


Carrasquilla (11'), Ceren (90')
Carrasquilla (54')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Ruidiaz (28')
Rowe (47'), Roldan (79')
Roldan (82')

Preview: Houston Dynamo vs. Seattle Sounders - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Thursday's Major League Soccer clash between Houston Dynamo and Seattle Sounders, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Both Houston Dynamo and Seattle Sounders enter their clash on Thursday at the BBVA Stadium in Texas needing to put together a lengthy unbeaten run, with the hosts in sixth spot and the Sounders in 11th in the Western Conference.

Seattle are currently five points behind Houston, but they have two games in hand to their advantage, after a busy schedule at the start of the campaign due to a successful CONCACAF Champions League run.


Match preview

Houston Dynamo midfielder Fafa Picault (10) celebrates his goal against the Inter Miami CF during the second half at DRV PNK Stadium on April 3, 2022© Reuters

Progression in the Open Cup last week was followed by a 2-0 win against Nashville for Houston, who did not dominate possession in that match, but made the most of their chances in front of goal.

Adalberto Carrasquilla opened the scoring and, despite being reduced to 10 players after Adam Lundqvist was shown a straight red card, Darwin Quintero added a second from the penalty spot in the second half.

Paulo Nagamura's side had lost three consecutive league matches prior to Sunday's victory, which dented their positive start to the campaign, although, victory this Thursday will put them back on track to become a strong contender for a top-seven finish.

This is Houston's last home match before four consecutive away games across all competitions ahead of June's international break, so they will need to set themselves up well for their next string of fixtures on their travels with a win this week.

Seattle Sounders forward Raul Ruidiaz (9) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the first half against the New York City FC at Red Bull Arena on April 13, 2022© Reuters

The Sounders have been unable to make as strong a start to their Western Conference campaign as they would have liked, with a lot of focus being directed at the Champions League throughout the beginning of this season.

After lifting that trophy earlier this month, Seattle will now feel that they can kick on in their domestic campaign, and improve on their current 11th-placed position.

Brian Schmetzer's side enter this match having bounced back from disappointment in the Open Cup last week, when they lost out to San Jose Earthquakes on penalties, by securing a 3-1 win over Minnesota United.

Second-half goals from Raul Ruidiaz, Cristian Roldan and Nicolas Lodeiro turned that game around for Seattle, who did enter the break 1-0 down after allowing Robin Lod to open the scoring for the visitors.

The Sounders finished third in the MLS last year, and having been involved in four of the last six MLS finals, there is an expectation on Schmetzer's side to vastly improve on their current position.

Houston Dynamo Major League Soccer form:
  • W
  • D
  • L
  • L
  • L
  • W

Houston Dynamo form (all competitions):
  • W
  • L
  • L
  • L
  • W
  • W

Seattle Sounders Major League Soccer form:
  • D
  • W
  • L
  • L
  • L
  • W

Seattle Sounders form (all competitions):
  • L
  • D
  • W
  • L
  • D
  • W


Team News

Houston Dynamo FC head coach Paulo Nagamura reacts during the second half against the Vancouver Whitecaps FC at PNC Stadium on March 12, 2022© Reuters

Lundqvist will be forced to miss this encounter due to suspension, meaning that Sam Junqua is likely to make his first start of the campaign after featuring four times from the bench.

Centre-back Daniel Steres has not played for Houston since the end of March, and he will remain sidelined on Thursday as he is not expected to make his return from injury until later this month.

Darwin Ceren and Memo Rodriguez returned in midfield last time out, and they are likely to retain their places in the starting 11, as well as Quintero, who will lead the line instead of Carlos Ferreira.

Seattle's Joao Paulo was forced off in the first half in the CONCACAF Champions League final, and he is set for a lengthy period on the sidelines after damaging his cruciate ligaments.

Defender Nouhou Tolo was also replaced after just 11 minutes in that match due to injury, but he has made a full return and is likely to start at left-back on Thursday.

The Sounders' attacking quartet including Roldan, Lodeiro, Ruidiaz and Jordan Morris were in fine form last time out, and they are certain to be named in the lineup from the start in this outing.

Houston Dynamo possible starting lineup:
Clark; Junqua, Hadebe, Parker, Zeca; Ceren; Dorsey, Rodriguez, Carrasquilla, Picault; Quintero

Seattle Sounders possible starting lineup:
Frei; Tolo, Arreaga, Gomez, Alex Roldan; Rusnak, Vargas; Morris, Lodeiro, Cristian Roldan; Ruidiaz


SM words green background

We say: Houston Dynamo 1-1 Seattle Sounders

Both teams enter this match on the back of positive victories, but they are likely to cancel each other out on Thursday, given their similar starts to the campaign, despite Seattle sitting five place beneath Houston.

The Sounders have played two fewer games, but have scored and conceded a similar total, suggesting that Dynamo and the Sounders will be relatively evenly matched in Texas.

For additional data used by our team to analyse our suggested result please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data


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Game History

How you voted: Houston vs Seattle

Houston Dynamo
47.4%
Draw
36.8%
Seattle Sounders
15.8%
19
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Eastern Conference

TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Inter MiamiInter Miami34228479493074
2Columbus Crew34199672403266
3FC CincinnatiCincinnati341851158481059
4Orlando City34157125950952
5Charlotte FCCharlotte FC34149114637951
6New York City FCNY City34148125449550
7New York Red BullsNY Red Bulls34111495550547
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9Atlanta UnitedAtlanta341010144649-340
10DC United341010145270-1840
11Philadelphia UnionPhiladelphia34910156255737
12Toronto34114194061-2137
13Nashville SCNashville3499163854-1636
14New England RevolutionNew England3494213774-3731
15Chicago Fire3479184062-2230

Western Conference

TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Los Angeles FCLos Angeles34197863432064
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3Real Salt LakeSalt Lake341611765481759
4Seattle SoundersSeattle34169951351657
5Houston DynamoHouston34159104739854
6Minnesota UnitedMinnesota Utd34157125849952
7Colorado RapidsColorado34155146160150
8Portland TimbersPortland341211116556947
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13Sporting Kansas CityKansas3487195166-1531
14San Jose EarthquakesEarthquakes3463254178-3721


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