Dynamo visit Sounders FC in playoff opener
Seattle went 1-0-1 against Houston in 2009 regular season
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SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC v HOUSTON DYNAMO
Thurs., Oct. 29, Qwest Field (7 p.m. PT; ESPN2/Deportes)
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD:
SEA 1 win, 3 goals scored ... HOU 0 wins, 2 goals scored ... 1 tie
2009 HEAD-TO-HEAD: SEA 1 win, 3 goals scored ... HOU 0 wins, 2 goals scored ... 1 tie
AT QWEST FIELD:
7/11: SEA 2, HOU 1 (Montero 32; Ianni 46 - Davis 12)
MLS CUP PLAYOFFS: first meeting
REFEREE: Ricardo Salazar
SAR (bench): Steven Taylor; JAR (opposite): Hector Vergara;
4th: Edvin Jurisevic
INJURY REPORT: SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC -- OUT: GK Chris Eylander (L medial knee bone bruise); MF Michael Fucito (R foot sesamoiditis) ... HOUSTON DYNAMO -- OUT: MF Corey Ashe (R knee sprain); DF Richard Mulrooney (R knee surgery); PROBABLE: MF Ricardo Clark (L knee sprain); FW Cam Weaver (L knee sprain); FW Luis Angel Landin (L knee tendonitis)
SUSPENDED: none
WARNINGS: none
SOUNDERS FC: Throughout the 2009 MLS season, the consensus has been Sounders FC have not played like an expansion team. That could be no more evident during the postseason: Of Sigi Schmid's probable starting XI, 10 players have had experience in big games, whether those games came in South America, Europe, or even the USL, with rookie Steve Zakuani the lone exception. "Obviously there are veteran guys on this team who have been through the playoffs before and guys who have played in important games in Europe," Schmid said. "They will be able to share those situations and those memories and the preparation they go through." ... At the start of the season, Brad Evans filled the driving central midfield role -- just as he had done for Schmid in 2008 in the Columbus Crew's title run. But after a middle of the season where Evans lost his place then moved around (including a start at right back vs. Kansas City on Oct. 10), he returned to that preferred role and scored the game-winner against Dallas in the season finale. "I think he's found his form again and he's an important offensive cog for us," Schmid said. "When we get goals from different places, like we have been getting over the last couple weeks, it makes our team better." ... Sounders FC head into the playoffs as the only team on a winning streak, with victories in three in a row. But the come-from-behind season-ending win against FC Dallas might have had even more impact, as Nate Jaqua's goal that pulled Seattle level in the second half was the club's first goal at Qwest Field since the July 11 win vs. Houston, snapping a 465-minute goalless streak. "We don't fear anybody. We are very confident against whoever we play. It's just so nice to get that monkey off of our back -- the home goal drought and results," said goalkeeper Kasey Keller. ... There were a couple of training ground injury concerns as Sounders FC made the short turnaround to the first playoff game in club history. Leading scorer Montero missed training with a mild illness, as the club wanted to keep him away from the team as a precaution. Keller left a training session early with an apparent ankle injury. Schmid said he believed his veteran netminder should be "ready to go" against Houston. "His ankle is just a little bit sore so we sent him in early," Schmid said. "That was his situation (Tuesday)."
DYNAMO: Sounders FC were one of three teams the Dynamo had a losing record against during the 2009 season -- the others the teams above them in the MLS overall table, the Columbus Crew and the LA Galaxy. The Dynamo lost and tied in two league meetings with Seattle (with another loss in the U.S. Open Cup semifinal). "When you start the playoffs, no matter who you play against, you start all over again," said Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear. "No matter how you did against the team in the regular season, there are guys that come in and change the team. There are some things that went on that possibly carry over, but if you look at the three games you played previous you are focusing on history instead of how you are going to play." ... The Chivas game was yet another where the Dynamo took a big first-half lead, then were forced to come back or hold on for the result. Houston was second in MLS with 26 first-half goals (one behind FC Dallas), but dead last with 13 second-half goals. "We kind of seem to have a history this year of getting nice leads and kind of blowing them," Onstad said. "That's something obviously we can't do in the playoffs. Over the last 20 minutes, we didn't have much left." ... Having played a busy calendar over the final months of the season with participation in the CONCACAF Champions League, the Dynamo faced a quick turnaround from their season finale on Sunday afternoon. The club decided to remain on the West Coast after their game at Chivas USA. "We played three games in eight days all over the place," Houston 'keeper Pat Onstad said. "It's been tough but we'll regroup and get ready for Seattle on Thursday ... The good thing is that we're going to stay in here and then head up so we don't have to fly across the country. It's going to be a tough game against a good team." ... Defender Eddie Robinson made his 2009 league debut against Chivas, though he played in three CONCACAF Champions League games after undergoing preseason knee surgery. Robinson had started all but two MLS games during his first three seasons with the Dynamo, but will be a reserve to start the postseason. "This is going to be my role for at least the next few weeks, and that's fine," Robinson said. "I'm one of the biggest cheerleaders. Ask the referees; they still don't like me, even when I'm on the bench." ... There is an injury doubt for the Dynamo. Starting forward Luis Landín left the Chivas game in the 44th minute with tendinitis in his left knee. He is listed as questionable.
