Major League Soccer

MLS Playoff Preview: Houston Dynamo vs Seattle Sounders

The second leg should offer some fireworks.

Nov 6, 2009 10:25:50 AM

Nate Jaqua, Seattle Sounders FC; Pat Onstad, Houston Dynamo; MLS (Troy Zielonka, Goal.com)

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Nate Jaqua, Seattle Sounders FC; Pat Onstad, Houston Dynamo; MLS (Troy Zielonka, Goal.com)

Teams

Sounders FC

Who: Houston Dynamo and Seattle Sounders
What: 2009 MLS Western Conference playoffs, first round, second leg.
When: 3:00 pm Eastern Time, Sunday
Where: Robertson Stadium, Houston, Texas

The Gist:

The first leg was a 0-0 draw full of hard tackles. It was the type of match that typifies the playoffs, and the Houston Dynamo's favored style of play. It was physical, almost dirty at times, and a match that should set the stage for some serious action in the second leg.

If there is an advantage to be had it falls to Houston. Not only will the Dynamo be playing in the comfortable confines of Robertson, but they got out of Qwest Field on level pegging. The Dynamo seemed to be the better side for long stretches of the first leg, knocking the ball around confidently and keeping Seattle's potent attack in check with one crushing tackle after another.

The Sounders looked rattled in the first leg. Several things could have played into that. Playing in front of the Seattle faithful, the noise of the stadium for the first ever playoff game, a group of players who were largely inexperienced in dealing with a playoff situation, and facing a team that knows a thing or two about the playoffs all probably played a part in the Sounders being off balance.

The scoreless draw shouldn't have been a shock. Seattle and Houston have the two stingiest defenses in the league. Both also have high quality holding midfielders who protect the back four and veteran goalkeepers with loads of international experience. The big question is where the goals will come from in the second leg.

Fredy Montero would seem to be the most likely candidate for the Sounders, but the youngster was clearly not on top form in the first leg. In fact, Seattle looked more dangerous after his removal in the 64th minute of that match. For Houston Stuart Holden and Brad Davis can certainly create the chances, but Brian Ching found precious little space to work with against Seattle's backline, and Seattle 'keeper Kasey Keller was on hand to keep out the few good efforts he had.

Mistakes are rare for both teams. Dominic Kinnear and Sigi Schmid are two of the most tactically sound managers in the history of MLS. Their teams are well drilled, organized, and rarely pass out cheap goals.

The midfield battle will be the biggest point of interest. Houston has two player, Holden and Davis, that are among the most creative and gifted attacking players in the league. Seattle counters with Brad Evans and Freddie Ljungberg, two classy players in their own right.

Players To Watch

Ricardo Clark, Houston Dynamo: Clark is the x-factor for Houston's midfield. With so many attack minded players around him Clark holds deeper and is charged with slowing the pace and keeping Seattle from breaking with numbers.

Osvaldo Alonso, Seattle Sounders: Clark's counterpart for Seattle will be equally important. Alonso has been one of the best players on the Seattle roster in their first season and has proven to be the hard-man that every team needs in the middle of the park. While Clark is busy dealing with Ljungberg on one end, Alonso will be busy trying to close down the every slippery Stuart Holden on the other. It should be very interesting to see which of the holding mids has more success, not only in slowing down the opposition, but in pushing forward and contributing to the attack.

Prediction:

It's very hard to pick against either of these teams. Houston has a team that has fought through these situations in the past while Seattle has a squad hungry for more success. In this case, the edge goes to Seattle, but it will take extra time. Houston 1-2 Seattle in overtime.

To Advance:

It's a one-off game. The winner goes through, the loser goes home. If the scores are tied after regulation there will be a 30 minute overtime separated into two 15 minute halves. A shootout will ensue if the score is not settled after 120 minutes.

Allen Ramsey, Goal.com

Get all the latest MLS Playoff coverage with Goal.com's dedicated MLS page.

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