Sounders 1 - 2 Dynamo
Final
  for this game

Sounders-Dynamo Preview

Oct 22, 2010 - 2:36 PM By BRETT HUSTON STATS Senior Writer

Seattle (14-9-6) at Houston (8-15-6), 4:00 p.m. EDT

A win in their regular-season finale would be the Seattle Sounders' sixth in a row, giving them plenty of momentum heading into the playoffs.

Their path to the MLS Cup, however, might be much easier if they lose.

Beating the host Houston Dynamo on Saturday would guarantee the Sounders a spot in the difficult Western Conference postseason bracket, but a loss could open the door for them being shipped to the less competitive East.

Seattle (14-9-6) spent much of the season's first half struggling to be consistent, but it's become one of the league's most impressive clubs by going 10-1-2 since July 15.

It's been particularly good down the stretch, matching the league's longest winning streak of the season at five with a 2-1 victory over Chivas USA last Saturday.

After conceding a goal in stoppage time, though, the Sounders were still finding room for improvement.

"We've got to up our discipline if we're going to win in the playoffs," goalkeeper Kasey Keller told the team's official website. "It's three points, it's a great win to finish off our home season in the league, but we have to be better. If we take that attitude, we're going to be fine going in."

Facing the long-since eliminated Dynamo (8-15-6) would seem to provide a prime opportunity to shore up any recurring issues, but Seattle may be faced with a major dilemma Saturday. A win over Houston would ensure the Sounders finish either third or fourth in the West, keeping them in a bracket with Los Angeles and Real Salt Lake - the league's two best teams.

Seattle was outscored 9-3 in going 0-2-2 against those clubs.

A loss or draw against Houston would leave open the possibility of Colorado or San Jose passing the fourth-place Sounders, who would then become part of the East bracket. The Earthquakes, who visit Kansas City on Saturday and are currently two points behind Seattle, are the more realistic possibility.

Heading to the East seems to be a far better option. The Sounders split two meetings with conference champion New York and have beaten second-place Columbus twice in the past five weeks, including a 2-1 win to claim the U.S. Open Cup.

Seattle won't have arguably its most dangerous playmaker Saturday. Striker Fredy Montero, tied with Steve Zakuani for the team lead with 10 goals, will miss this match due to yellow-card accumulation.

Mike Fucito, who has played in only four MLS games but scored three goals for the Sounders in CONCACAF Champions League play, is the likely candidate to take his place.

The Dynamo will miss the playoffs for the first time since the franchise relocated to Houston from San Jose, but they're 2-1-1 in their last four games after a 1-0 win at San Jose last Saturday.

Rookie Tyler Deric was the star, posting the team's first shutout since July in his MLS debut.

"We don't pick guys for charity," coach Dominic Kinnear said. "We pick them if we think they can help us. I think he's improved a lot over the last 12 months."

Montero and Alvaro Fernandez scored in the Sounders' 2-0 home win over Houston on Aug. 8.






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