MLS Cup Playoffs: Seattle Sounders FC and Houston Dynamo FC Set for Western Conference Semifinal Clash
Seattle Sounders FC, the defending MLS Cup champions, will face off against Houston Dynamo FC in the Western Conference semifinals.
The Sounders are the No. 1 seed in the West, while the Dynamo are the No. 4 seed. The two teams finished the regular season with identical 17-10-7 records, but Seattle held the tiebreaker by virtue of their superior goal differential.
The Sounders are making their 14th appearance in the MLS Cup playoffs, while the Dynamo are making their 10th appearance.
The two teams have met twice in the playoffs before, with the Sounders winning both meetings.
The first meeting came in the 2017 Western Conference semifinals, which the Sounders won 2-0 on aggregate. The second meeting came in the 2019 Western Conference final, which the Sounders won 3-2 on aggregate.
The Sounders are favored to win this year's matchup, but the Dynamo will be looking to pull off an upset.
Here is a preview of the matchup:
Seattle Sounders FC
The Sounders are the defending MLS Cup champions and are looking to become the first team to repeat as champions since the LA Galaxy did it in 2011 and 2012.
The Sounders have a strong team led by MVP candidate Raul Ruidiaz, who scored 17 goals in the regular season.
The Sounders also have a strong defense led by goalkeeper Stefan Frei, who was named the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year in 2021.
Houston Dynamo FC
The Dynamo are the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference, but they are a dangerous team that is capable of beating anyone on their day.
The Dynamo have a young and talented team led by 20-year-old midfielder Matias Vera, who was named the MLS Rookie of the Year in 2021.
The Dynamo also have a solid defense led by goalkeeper Steve Clark, who was a member of the United States national team at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
The Western Conference semifinals are set to begin on Sunday, October 23rd.
The first leg will be played at Lumen Field in Seattle, while the second leg will be played at PNC Stadium in Houston.
The winner of the series will advance to the Western Conference final, where they will face either FC Dallas or the Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
