• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers
• Game Tracker

Houston hopes to extend road run at Seattle

Mar 22, 2012 - 5:26 PM Seattle, WA (Sports Network) - The Houston Dynamo may want to delay the debut of new BBVA Compass Stadium if they win Friday night at Seattle Sounders FC.

Houston was winless in its first 15 road matches last season, but has started the 2012 season with a pair of away wins.

The Dynamo closed last season with two successive road wins, continued to play well on the road in the playoffs, and reached the MLS Cup final.

Although Houston lost the final to the Los Angeles Galaxy, 1-0, it has carried last season's momentum into the new season with wins at Chivas USA and the San Jose Earthquakes.

"If you told us Feb. 1 we'd win those first two road games, we'd definitely take it," Dynamo captain Brian Ching told the MLS website. "To go on the road in this league and win, considering our record last year, is a big thing for us."

The Dynamo (2-0-0) play their first seven matches on the road this season, and another win this week at CenturyLink Field against Sounders FC (1-0-0) would make the club one of the clear favorites in the Eastern Conference.

BBVA Compass Stadium opens May 12, when Houston hosts D.C. United.

Houston has won its first two games 1-0, using a late goal from Andre Hainault to sink Chivas and a Brad Davis goal to edge San Jose.

Tally Hall posted shutouts in both matches as the Dynamo became the first team in league history to open the season with two consecutive away shutouts.

Seattle promises to present a tougher challenge this week, especially with its always raucous crowd on hand. The Sounders had 38,709 for their home opener, a 3-1 win over Toronto FC, and defender Marc Burch said after the match it "was the best atmosphere I've ever played in."

"If you're confident or cocky, you could get smacked in the face," Ching said. "We have to realize that, and realize that the games only get more difficult."

The Sounders were eliminated from the CONCACAF Champions League prior to their MLS opener, but bounced back well with the win over Toronto FC - which stunned the Los Angeles Galaxy in that competition to advance.

David Estrada scored a hat trick to lead Seattle over Toronto FC and was named MLS Player of the Week.

Seattle was 9-4-4 at home last season, when it finished second in the Western Conference, and a win against MLS Cup finalist Houston this week would provide another sign that Sigi Schmid's club will contend for a regular-season title.