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Dynamo-Sounders Preview

Aug 7, 2010 - 6:43 PM By MATT BEARDMORE STATS Writer

Houston (5-8-5) at Seattle (7-8-4), 11:00 p.m. EDT

The Seattle Sounders' second year in MLS has taken a positive turn recently. They'll try to defeat the team that ended its inaugural season.

Seattle looks to win its franchise-record fourth straight match Sunday when it faces a Houston Dynamo team going for its first victory since late May.

The Sounders' 2009 season was highlighted by an impressive 7-2-6 home record, but their run in the MLS Cup playoffs ended in Houston on Nov. 8, when Brian Ching scored six minutes into overtime to give the Dynamo a 1-0 victory and a berth in the Western Conference finals.

A 1-5-0 stretch that ended July 4 put a major dent in Seattle's hopes of making a second straight playoff appearance, but the Sounders (7-8-4) are 3-0-1 in their last four league matches.

The play of Fredy Montero has been key to the surge. Named the league's player of the month for July earlier this week, the Colombian forward has points in eight consecutive league matches, and has scored or assisted on 12 of the team's last 15 goals.

Montero's header in the 26th minute helped the visiting Sounders win their third straight, 1-0 at San Jose on July 31.

"It's everybody, it's not just me," Montero told the team's official website. "It's everybody working together on the field like it was tonight."

Seattle looks for continued contributions from designated players Blaise Nkufo and Alvaro Fernandez. Nkufo, a Swiss striker who joined the Sounders last month, has looked comfortable playing alongside Montero, while Fernandez already feels at home with his new teammates after signing last week.

The Uruguayan midfielder, who saw his first MLS action against San Jose, scored off a header in the 74th minute Tuesday in El Salvador as Seattle played to a 1-all draw with Isidro Metapin and advanced to the group stage of the CONCACAF Champions League.

"Since I've gotten here, the team has treated me fantastically. I feel like I'm part of the team even though I've only been here for a week," Fernandez said.

Houston (5-8-5) is 0-4-4 since a 2-0 victory versus DC United on May 22. The Dynamo, who play six of their next nine on the road, are 0-4-1 away from Robertson Stadium after a 2-0 win over Chivas USA on May 8.

Midfielder Geoff Cameron is hoping to give Houston a boost in this matchup after playing 20 minutes in Thursday's 1-0 loss to visiting Monaracas Morelia. It was his first action since rupturing a right knee ligament April 24 against Chicago.

"No problems whatsoever, which is great," Cameron told the Dynamo's official website. "I just have a sore body from running hard, so I am looking forward to this weekend."

Ching, who missed six games this season with a left hamstring injury, could also see limited time on Qwest Field's artificial surface.