HOUSTON DYNAMO v. SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC

Greetings to my brothers and sisters in Green. It’s time for our beloved Sounders FC to sojourn to Planet Texas and the Walker Street ground to play San Jose Earth– I mean, Dinamo Houst– I mean the Houston Dynamo. I wonder if they will wear orange or black shirts. On a more serious note: It’s been awhile since anyone talked about the awful flooding that recently hit Houston in May. I hope everyone’s come out of that alright.

What: MLS league match, Houston Dynamo v. Seattle Sounders FC.

Where: Walker Street, Houston, Texas.

When: 5:30 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time, Wednesday 19 June 2024 CE.

At Stake: With a victory over Houston, Sounders FC could rise as high as 13th place in the league table. If we should be defeated, we could drop as low as 20th, where we were before defeating Minnesota United. For those of you worried about MLS Cup qualification, Sounders currently occupy the last of the two [grits teeth] wild card places. Our close personal friends from Portland, the Treecutters, are level on points with us, but we have the better record in matches against Portland, for now, and a better goal difference, by one goal. Sounders are currently in 16th place in the league table, and are 17 points adrift of leaders Inter Miami.

Where to Watch: MLS Season Pass via Apple TV.

Where to Listen: 950 KJR FM and El Rey 1360 AM.

Fresh off a crisp victory over the Loons last Sat, Sounders FC will play their second match in five days against Houston Dynamo. We have some Heartland people there, so that’s going to be a good thing, noise-wise and support-wise. The rest of us, here, in The Evergreen will be watching, singing, chanting, generally carrying on in our attempts to will the side to victory. It’s what we do. Pubs and dwellings, houses and flats, boats and ships…you lot know the drill.

Stringing just a few victories together in MLS will rocket your side up the table, so although I wouldn’t list this match as crucial, it is important for us to get back to a consistent standard of play, that could see us through any tournament and continue our dominance since Seattle was grudgingly and finally awarded an MLS franchise in 2009.

It’s midweek league football, under the lights in Houston. GO ON YOU SOUNDERS! GET IN!

Before kick-off, please join me in the auld toast: “TO THE SEATTLE SOUNDERS FOOTBALL CLUB…AND VICTORY!!!”

“I’m rolling a saving throw vs. corporate takeover…[rolls die]………………………right then…so that’s how it is.

The Good News

We beat Minnesota United, and looked rather convincing doing it. This is excellent news.

We’ve got Nouhou back from his time with Cameroon, and also young Stu Hawkins is back from his friendlies in Buenos Aires and Montevideo with the Yanks’ U-19s.

It looks like Nathan is available for selection, after a rather long injury spell with a quadriceps issue, or was it a hamstring? Sometimes it all blurs together, isn’t it? At any rate, all four of our centre-halves are fit and available for selection, which will be dead useful as after the Houston match we face the Dallas at Royal Brougham Park three days hence.

Houston has been having a difficult go of it lately, and will be missing key man Adelberto Carrasquilla, who is getting ready for Panama’s participation in Copa America. Houston has only had one victory since 11 May (1-3-2), when they defeated Colorado 3:1 at Walker Street on 29 May.

Sounders have done quite well in the league since 30 April, amassing a record of 4-3-2. Let’s see if we can keep pace with this upturn in form.

Sounders had four shots on goal in the match against Minnesota United. That’s the most we’ve hit in a match for quite some time. Let’s hope this trend continues.

The Bad News

Houston rarely lose at home (3-3-2), and almost identically match us in goal scoring and defending.

Sounders have been unconvincing on the road compiling a record of 3-1-6. This midweek fixture at Houston has all the markings of a listless 1:1 draw, but if there’s anything I’ve learnt from covering the Sounders for the better part of nine years, it’s that statistics and metrics are almost meaningless in MLS. Any team could win, on any day.

We handily defeated Minnesota United, which I am bloody well grateful for, but I can’t work out why. All the metrics pointed to the Loons being the better team. Was it changing back to an old idea where Leo Chu plays left-forward and Jordo plays centre-forward? I thought we had scrapped that, yet it worked extremely well last Sat. Was it that the Loons were missing four players to national team duty? Did we significantly change our tactics? Were we better rested? Did our players have niggling minor injuries that they had regained fitness from? I love when we do well, but when I can’t figure out why it irritates the shit out of me.

Losing Alex to concussion was a blow. It’s true we have other players that can play right-back well enough, but I doubt many of them pass the football as well as Alex - not to mention the chemistry of both Roldan brothers being on the pitch at the same time. De la Vega is training with the team, but it has been determined that he will remain behind in Seattle for Wednesday night’s match. This lad has had no luck at all since coming to Seattle, so I hope his rehabilitation has gotten him close to being fit enough for selection, but first the medical team have got to help him get that hamstring right. To be honest, I’m more concerned with Alex’ and Pedro’s health and safety than when they’ll be back in the team.

The Side I Would Select

It all depends on who you want well-rested to face Dallas on Sat. Ideally, I would select a team of half first-choice, and half squad players, then do the same again in Seattle v. Dallas.

Rationale: With the recent injury to Alex Roldan, Cody Baker makes sense as the right-back. Hawkins hasn’t played a football match in a week since returning from USA U-19s, and Gomez Andrade could use a rest as he’s 31 years-old, so if you want Yeimar in the team against Dallas on Sat, Hawkins would be dead reliable at right-centre-half. Leo Chu at left-forward and Jordo as a #9 worked against Minnesota United, so why not keep that. Still prefer Cristian as a #6, letting Vargas use his pace and quickness at right-forward. Rothrock should play a decent amount of minutes in this match, he’s been great for us this season.

GK     Frei

LB     Nouhou

LCH    Ragen

RCH    Hawkins

RB     Baker

LDM    Joao Paulo

RDM   Cristian

LF     Leo Chu

CAM   Rusnak

RF     Vargas

CF     Morris

The Side I Think The Gaffer Will Select

I would be shocked if the Gaffer didn’t run out the team that beat Minnesota United. That said, with Dallas looming on Sat in Seattle three days hence, he’d better substitute anyone he wants to be playing on the weekend at half-time.

GK     Frei

LB     Nouhou

LCH    Ragen

RCH    Gomez Andrade

RB     Baker

LDM   Joao Paulo

RDM   Vargas

LF     Leo Chu

CAM   Rusnak

RF     Cristian

CF     Morris

Intangibles

Drew Fischer will be the referee for the midweek fixture in Houston.

Houston record in matches refereed by Fischer: 7-6-7.

Sounders FC record in matches refereed by Fischer: 8-8-2.

The corpos have tightened their grip on our football club. The investment firm Carlyle Group has just purchased a 97% stake in Seattle Reign FC, who are essentially Seattle Sounders FC Women. Carlyle’s holdings include a fair chunk of blood money, meaning investment in and ownership of defence contractors. Carlyle have previously been advised by George H. W. Bush, James Baker, and had connections to the Bin Laden family. In addition, Ronald Reagan’s former Secretary of State, Frank Carlucci was the Chairman of Carlyle from 1992-2003. So, yeah…super fun. To paraphrase: Like sands through the hourglass, so are the days of our sportswashing.

General notes on personnel

Houston transfers IN:

Dorsey - re-signed

Gyamfi - draft

Sargeant - draft

Gregus (Minnesota United FC) free

Segal (New York City FC) undisclosed fee

Sylla - draft

Blessing (Toronto FC) €253,000

Gaines (Nashville SC) €70,000

Valverde (LDU Quito) undisclosed fee

Ponce (AEK Athens) undisclosed fee (This transfer doesn’t happen until 1 July)

Houston transfers OUT:

Achara - reserves

Auguste - released

Avila (Sporting Kansas City Reserves) free

Hadebe (Konyaspor) free

Murana (Birmingham Legion) free

Rios - released

Vera (Olimpia Asuncion) free

Franco (Libertad) end of loan

Baird (FC Cincinnati) free

Ulfarsson (Debreceni VSC) undisclosed fee

Gasper (Chicago Fire) undisclosed fee

Comparison against common opponents

HOU 1:1 SKC

SKC 1:2 HOU

SKC 2:1 SEA

(against SKC: HOU 1-1-0 +1, SEA 0-0-1 -1) edge HOU

HOU 1:0 POR
POR 2:2 HOU

POR 1:2 SEA

(against POR: HOU 1-1-0 +1, SEA 1-0-0 +1) edge HOU

COL 0:1 HOU

HOU 3:1 COL

SEA 1:1 COL

(against COL: HOU 2-0-0 +3, SEA 0-1-0 0) edge HOU

HOU 2:1 SJ

SJ 3:2 SEA

(against SJ: HOU 1-0-0 +1, SEA 0-0-1 -1) edge HOU

MIN 1:2 HOU

SEA 2:0 MIN

(against MIN: HOU 1-0-0 +1, SEA 1-0-0 +2) edge SEA

HOU 0:1 ATX

ATX 1:0 HOU

SEA 0:0 ATX

(against ATX: HOU 0-0-2 -2, SEA 0-1-0 0) edge SEA

DAL 2:0 HOU

HOU 1:1 DAL

DAL 0:0 SEA

(against DAL: HOU 0-1-1 -2, SEA 0-1-0 0) edge SEA

HOU 0:0 STL

STL 2:1 HOU CCC

HOU 1:0 STL CCC

STL 1:2 SEA

(against STL: HOU 1-1-1 0, SEA 1-0-0 +1) even

LAG 2:1 HOU

LAG 1:0 SEA

SEA 0:0 LAG

(against LAG: HOU 0-0-1 -1, SEA 0-1-0 0) edge SEA

Know Thine Enemy

Houston as they lined up in their 2:2 draw against Atlanta at Mangum Street on 15 June.

GOALKEEPER

Steve Clark, 38

United States

Notable Clubs: Michigan Bucks (51/0), Honefoss (94/0), Columbus Crew SC (100/0), AC Horsens (11/0), DC United (5/0), Portland Timbers (74/0), Houston Dynamo (80/0)

Estimated Transfer Value: €200,000

Notes: Played his university football for Oakland (58/0). Won a Norwegian second division title with Honefoss BK. Won a US Open Cup with Houston Dynamo.

DEFENCE

Franco Escobar, 29

Argentina

Notable Clubs: Newell’s Old Boys (41/0), Atlanta United FC (63/2), Los Angeles FC (19/1), Houston Dynamo (38/4)

Estimated Transfer Value: €800,000

Notes: Developed by Newell’s Old Boys. Won an MLS Cup, US Open Cup, and Campeones Cup with Atlanta United. Won an MLS league title and MLS Cup double with Los Angeles FC. Won a US Open Cup with Houston Dynamo.

Micael, 23

Brazil

Notable Clubs: Atletico Mineiro (2/0), Houston Dynamo (41/1)

Estimated Transfer Value: €850,000

Notes: Full name: Micael dos Santos Silva. Developed by Inter de Limeira and Atletico Mineiro. Won a Brazillian league title, Copa do Brasil, and a Supercopa do Brasil with Atletico Mineiro. Won a US Open Cup with Houston Dynamo.

Erik Sviatchenko, 32

Denmark (5/1)

Notable Clubs: Midtjylland (254/25), Celtic (42/1), Houston Dynamo (31/0)

Estimated Transfer Value: €1.5M

Notes: Developed by Viborg FF, Houlkaer IF, Sondermarken, FK Viborg, and Midtjylland. Won three Danish Superliga titles and two Danish Cups with Midtjylland. Won two Scottish Premierships, a Scottish Cup, and two Scottish League Cups with Celtic. Named Danish Superliga Player of the Year 2019-20. Won a US Open Cup with Houston Dynamo.

Griffin Dorsey, 25

United States

Notable Clubs: Toronto FC (2/0), Houston Dynamo (82/6)

Estimated Transfer Value: €650,000

Notes: Developed by Colorado Rush SC. Played his university football with Indiana (44/8). Won a US Open Cup with Houston Dynamo.

MIDFIELD

Hector Herrera, 34

Mexico (105/10)

Notable Clubs: Pachuca (52/2), Porto (164/26), Atletico Madrid (58/0), Houston Dynamo (50/5)

Estimated Transfer Value: €2M

Notes: Developed by Pachuca, Cuautla, and Tampico Madero. Won a Portuguese league title and two Supertacas with Porto. Won a La Liga title with Atletico Madrid.  Won a US Open Cup with Houston Dynamo. Won CONCACAF Gold Cup and CONCACAF Cup with Mexico. Twice-named to Portuguese league Team of the Year. Named to CONCACAF Best XI three times. Named to CONCACAF Nations League Finals Best XI. Won CONCACAF Cup Golden Ball. Named to CONCACAF Gold Cup Best XI. Named to MLS Best XI 2023.

Amine Bassi, 26

Morocco

Notable Clubs: AS Nancy (106/24), FC Metz (9/0), Barnsley (15/2), Houston Dynamo (43/12)

Estimated Transfer Value: €4.5M

Notes: Developed by US Bezons, Racing Club de France, Epinal, and AS Nancy. Won a US Open Cup with Houston Dynamo.

Artur, 28

Brazil

Notable Clubs: Sao Paulo FC (4/0), Columbus Crew SC (138/2), Houston Dynamo (51/2)

Estimated Transfer Value: €3.5M

Notes: Full name: Jose Artur de Lima Junior. Developed by Bahia, Juventus-SC, and Sao Paulo. Won an MLS Cup and Campeones Cup with Columbus Crew SC. Won a US Open Cup with Houston Dynamo.

FORWARD

Ibrahim Aliyu, 22

Nigeria

Notable Clubs: Lokomotiva Zagreb (79/14), Houston Dynamo (41/7)

Estimated Transfer Value: €2.5M

Notes: Developed by Oasis FC, Footwork FC, and Lokomotiva Zagreb. Played for Nigeria U20s (4/0). Won a US Open Cup with Houston Dynamo.

Sebastian Kowalczyk, 25

Poland

Notable Clubs: Pogon Szczecin (169/19), Houston Dynamo (24/3)

Estimated Transfer Value: €1.2M

Notes: Developed by Salos Szczecin and Pogon Szczecin. Won a US Open Cup with Houston Dynamo (although he played no matches in that 2023 tournament).

Adalberto Carrasquilla, 25 (currently with Panama for the Copa America)

Panama (57/2)

Notable Clubs: Tauro (86/4), Cartagena (46/1), Houston Dynamo (83/7)

Estimated Transfer Value: €4.5M

Notes: Won two Panamanian league titles with Tauro. Won a US Open Cup with Houston Dynamo. Won CONCACAF Gold Cup Golden Ball 2023. Named to CONCACAF Gold Cup Best XI 2023. Named to CONCACAF Nations League Finals Best XI.

Familiar Faces

Houston defender Daniel Steres was selected by the Sounders FC in the 2012 MLS Waiver Draft. Steres never played a match for the first-team.

Houston defender Ethan Bartlow played his university football for Washington.

Houston and Australia defender Brad Smith played with the Sounders FC (63/3) from 2018-2021.

Squads

Houston from:

Clark, Tarbell, Valdez, Bartlow, Dorsey, Micael, Escobar, Sargeant, Schmitt, Smith, Steres, Sviatchenko, Bassi, Blessing, Caicedo, Artur, Gregus, Herrera, Kowalczyk, Raines, Sylla, Valverde, Aliyu, Gyamfi, Ferreira, Gaines, Segal.

Sounders FC from:

Frei, Thomas, Baker, Bell, Gomez Andrade, Hawkins, Nathan, Nouhou, Ragen, Atencio, Baker-Whiting, Joao Paulo, Kitahara, Leyva, Rusnak, Vargas, Morris, Cristian, Leo Chu, Musovski, Rodrigues, Rothrock, Ruidiaz, Teves.

Injury List

(as listed on mlssoccer.com at press time)

Houston -

OUT: Quinones (knee).

MATCHDAY DECISION: Gaines (lower body…we’ll say left testicle - that’s going to be difficult to tape and play).

Sounders FC -

OUT: Alex (concussion), de la Vega (hamstring).

MATCHDAY DECISION: none.

Discipline

(as listed on mlssoccer.com at press time)

No players suspended from either club.

Fun Fact

Sounders FC Reserves will not play again until 26 June, when they face Real Salt Lake Reserves at Starfire, for an 8 p.m. PDT kick off. We’ll see you then, lads!