The expansion Seattle Sounders FC travel to
take on the Houston Dynamo in the second and deciding leg of their Western
Conference Semifinal Series on Sunday afternoon at Robertson Stadium.
The two Major League Soccer clubs battled to a scoreless draw in the first leg
last week, and will be aiming to get on the board on Sunday.
The Dynamo were in a similar position last year and ended up losing to the New
York Red Bulls, 3-0, in the second leg to break their two-year reign as MLS
Cup champions.
"We did the same thing last year and we didn't win," Houston coach Dominic
Kinnear said. "If you depend on playing and winning at home then you're
looking at something that might not happen."
The Dynamo do have the advantage of playing at home with the series tied,
however.
"I thought they came through [the first leg] all right," Kinnear said. "To
come out with a shutout ... I think the guys should be proud overall of the
effort they put out in both sides of the ball."
For the Sounders to be successful in the second leg, they need to limit the
free kick chances they give the Dynamo, who excel in that aspect of the game.
"[Houston] does a good job of freeing guys in the box, whether you call them
picks or screens," Seattle coach Sigi Schmid said. "They create opening for
players, so we need to do a good job of staying with our people when we're
marking them."
The Sounders also need to do a better job of moving the ball around, keeping
the Dynamo defense at bay.
"I think we just have to move the ball," Seattle rookie Steve Zakuani said.
"Against that kind of team, if you keep the ball too long they get on you,
they get guys back and you lose it. They are physical, they're strong, but if
the ball is moving they commit a lot of fouls. Move the ball, keep the game
flowing and we should be fine."
Seattle will be without midfielder Michael Fucito, while starting defender
Tyrone Marshall is probable after coming out of the first leg in the first
half with a knee injury.
"I'm hoping, cross my fingers, that I'm healthy and able to go in there and
add that experience so we can move on to the next stage," Marshall said.
Houston will be without defender Richard Mulrooney, while midfielder Corey is
doubtful, both with injuries.
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