SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC v. HOUSTON DYNAMO

“To investors and powerbrokers, the great appeal of stadium economics is that it so rarely functions like economics at all. Football fans do not behave like rational customers. Millions of people pay a significant portion of their increasingly stretched incomes to watch a football team mostly not win, for ever.

This blind loyalty, this guaranteed bottom line, is what makes football such an irresistible investment vehicle. But it also means the only way to secure the kind of exponential growth the modern investor demands is essentially to move these fans out, upgrade them, replace them with richer, less discerning consumers.”

– Jonathan Liew, The Guardian 18 March 2025

Greetings to my brothers and sisters in Green. Dinamo Houston leave the confines of Planet Texas and head to The Evergreen, of course after showing their papers to the Commissar in order to legally travel from state to state. They must’ve gotten the Texas equivalent of Real ID. It’s a re-match of last season’s MLS Cup first round. It’s match day in the Fatherland.

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

Where: Royal Brougham Park, Occidental Avenue, Seattle, Washington.

When: 7:30 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time, Saturday 22 March 2025 CE.

At Stake: Points in the league. A win would get Sounders FC closer to the top 10 than their current position, which is 20th place on four points. If the visitors beat us, and Nico plays a prominent role, that’s a bad look for our club for letting him get away.

Where to Watch: MLS Season Pass via Apple TV. livesoccertv.com agrees.

Where to Listen: El Rey 1360 AM and Sounders FC Radio on iHeart Radio. Gotta wonder what happened to KJR here. I hope there will be alternate audio commentary, as I don’t enjoy watching us play at home whilst listening to the commentary of two blokes who know nothing about us that wasn’t on the game notes.

Well. Sounders hit the road for three matches after the Houston fixture. Soooooo pretty important to get the three points. That’s where you lot come in. Support is vital. This match is a genuine MLS league match. Not some crappy made up cash-grab like Leagues Cup. That means we gather up our mates and circles the wagons and try not to get dysentery…I mean ford the river…Fuck, I’m confusing this with the video game Oregon Trail. We gather our mates and link up at the pub, or at Pioneer Square, or at the ground. Then, after hitting the concessions for two tins of lager so’s you don’t have to leave in the middle of the first half, we make so much noise that Dinamo Houston wish they had stayed home in Siberi- I mean Texas.

It’s Sounders football, under the Saturday night lights of Royal Brougham Park. GO ON YOU SOUNDERS!!! GET IN!!!

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

Brian Schmetzer is fit for duty, minus his mullet, whatever was ailing him, whilst adding the better part of 35 years.

The Good News

Even with the injuries and national team call-ups, we still have the makings of a fine selection. With Frei, Bell, Gomez Andrade, Ragen, Alex, Joao Paulo, Cristian, Rusnak, Ferreira, and Rothrock available, I think it’s well within reason to expect a favourable result.

With about a week’s respite between matches for the foreseeable future (starting last week with St. Louis and rolling all the way through Houston away on 10 May), Brian Schmetzer will be able to select the best available team for each match. In layman’s terms, we solve the now problem whilst doing nothing about the future problems.

Having lost two matches in a row, Sounders FC will be keen to return to winning ways. Houston’s anaemic attack (0.75 goals/match over a sample size of four matches) may be just the tonic to help us get off the ropes.

Keep an eye on Sounders FC Reserves forward Yu Tsukanome. He scored a brace Thursday night against Washington Athletic Club in the US Open Cup, and scored a league goal against San Jose Earthquakes Reserves on 14 March.

The Gaffer allowed both Sousa and Hawkins to be in the team for the Reserves Thursday night in the US Open Cup. They needed the minutes, as they’re not getting them in the senior team. Perhaps Baker, Burney, Castro, and Leyva should also have been in the team, perhaps even Kim - rules permitting. Something to think about for the next round.

Sounders are still unbeaten at home (2-2-0), and are scoring nearly two goals per match (1.75/match over a sample of eight matches).

Houston have not yet won a match, and have yet to score more than one goal in a match. Houston are also conceding an average of two goals per match.

Seems like the Gaffer is feeling better, and will be back on the bench on Sat.

The Bad News

Seven matches in a row with a week between each of them also means that developmental minutes for our youngers will be few and far between, which is not so great. As the season grinds on, and fixture clutter increases due to Leagues Cup, we will need our youngers to have a decent level of match sharpness. Hopefully we can get our squad players minutes with the Sounders FC Reserves at the very least.

The absences of de la Vega, Morris, and Arriola will be deeply felt. Fortunately for us, we have the depth to cope for the moment, as there is no fixture clutter coming until 10-17 May, where Sounders will play Houston, LAFC, and Portland, all on the road in a span of eight days. We had bloody well better use the whole squad then, yeh?

I suspect the Gaffer will play Ferreira as a False-9, rather than as a #10 where he is more effective. If Danny Musovski is supposed to be cover for Morris at centre-forward, shouldn’t we find out if he’s fit to do the job? He seemed to do well enough in Mexico City, scoring a goal against a resolute Cruz Azul defence. If Musovski isn’t up to it, then we have to ask the question: Why is he in the squad?

Although it was good to see Freddy Juarez get a chance to sit in the big chair last week, it has to be asked: Why not Preki? In both his playing and coaching career, Juarez has only played and managed for American clubs. Preki was developed by Cukaricki, played for Red Star Belgrade in Serbia, Everton and Portsmouth in England, and won three trophies as a player with Kansas City. When Preki was Manager for Sacramento Republic, their winning percentage was over 62%.

Sounders have only managed one goal in their last two matches, and conceded five. That is not sustainable in either the short or long term. This needs sorting.

The Side I Would Select

I’d put this lot out. Musovski got us a goal in Mexico City. He should be good for another one given a chance. I’d try Ferreira over Albert at the #10, with Albert moving to left-forward and Rothrock switching to the right side.

GK     Frei

LB     Baker

LCH    Ragen

RCH    Gomez Andrade

RB     Alex

LDM    Leyva

RDM   Cristian

LF     Rusnak

CAM   Ferreira

RF     Rothrock

CF     Musovski

The Side I Think The Gaffer Will Select

I think you can expect pretty much who was in the team in St. Louis, playing five at the back again, with Ferreira as the False-9.

GK     Frei

LB     Rothrock

LCH    Ragen

CH     Gomez Andrade

RCH    Bell

RB     Alex

LCM    Joao Paulo

RCM    Cristian

LF     Rusnak

CF       Ferreira

RF     Minoungou

Intangibles

Officiating.

The referee for Saturday night’s match will be Allen Chapman.

Sounders FC record with Chapman as Ref: 14-5-8

Houston record with Chapman as Ref: 12-6-11

Nico factor.

Nico Lodeiro will play against us for the first time. Yet another in a series of unstable variables for Saturday’s match.

Morale.

Lots of players unavailable for selection. Seven if Gomez Andrade doesn’t return from his personal leave. Six even if he does. Two losses in a row in all competitions. One goal scored in the last two matches. It would be only human for a bit of nervousness to creep into the squad.

Houston’s poor form.

Houston are defending poorly and haven’t scored more than one goal in a match this season. They are averaging 0.75 goals/match and conceding 2.0 goals/match. Sounders FC could be overconfident. Houston might continue to bollux the job. A club with their backs to the wall can sometimes be the most difficult to play against.

Brougham bump.

Sounders are unbeaten at home this season in all competitions (2-2-0) and we have the best support in the league. Just what we need to kick back into form.

General notes on personnel

Houston transfers IN:

Maurer (FC Dallas) free

Steres - re-signed

Duenas (Los Angeles FC) free

Awodesu - reserves

McGlynn (Philadelphia Union) €2.04M

Urso (Charlotte FC) free

Gillingham (Flint City) free

Halliday (Orlando City SC) 2026 1st Round Draft Pick

Lodeiro (Orlando City SC) free

Holmes (Preston North End) free

Houston transfers OUT:

Gaines (New Mexico United) free

Gregus - released

Herrera (Toluca) free

Moreno (Gimnasia) free

Smith (FC Cincinnati) free

Sylla (Orange County SC) free

Valdez (Nashville SC) free

Blessing - released

Clark - released

Schmitt - released

Carrasquilla (UNAM Pumas) €3.4M

Sebastian Ferreira (Rosario Central) free

Sargeant (Lexington SC) loan

Valverde (Orense SC) loan

Micael (Palmeiras) €4.8M

Comparison against common opponents

RSL 2:0 SEA

HOU 1:2 RSL

Know Thine Enemy

Dinamo Houston as they lined up in their 1:2 loss against Salt Lake at Walker Street on 15 March.

GOALKEEPER

Andrew Tarbell, 31

United States

Notable Clubs: San Jose Earthquakes (41/0), Columbus Crew (7/0), Austin FC (5/0), Houston Dynamo (9/0)

Estimated Transfer Value: €150,000

Notes: Played his university football for Clemson (56/0). Won an MLS Cup with Columbus. Won a US Open Cup with Houston.

DEFENCE

Griffin Dorsey, 26

United States

Notable Clubs: Toronto FC (2/0), Houston Dynamo (102/9)

Estimated Transfer Value: €800,000

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

Ethan Bartlow, 25

United States

Notable Clubs: Houston Dynamo (62/0)

Estimated Transfer Value: €600,000

Notes: Played his university football for Washington (38/6). Developed by Crossfire Premier. Played for United States at youth levels (3/0). Won a US Open Cup with Houston.

Obafemi Awodesu, 23

United States

Notable Clubs: Houston Dynamo (4/0)

Estimated Transfer Value: not listed

Notes: Developed by FC Delco and Philadelphia Union.

Franco Escobar, 30

Argentina

Notable Clubs: Newell’s Old Boys (41/0), Atlanta United FC (63/2), Los Angeles FC (19/1), Houston Dynamo (56/4)

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.

MIDFIELD

Jack McGlynn, 21

United States (3/1)

Notable Clubs: Philadelphia Union (99/7), Houston Dynamo (4/1)

Estimated Transfer Value: €4.5M

Notes: Developed by Blau-Weiss Gottschee and Philadelphia Union. Won a CONCACAF U20 Championship with United States. Has played for United States at youth levels (37/2).

Artur, 29

Brazil

Notable Clubs: Sao Paulo FC (4/0), Columbus Crew SC (138/2), Houston Dynamo (72/2)

Estimated Transfer Value: €3M

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.

Nicolas Lodeiro, 35

Uruguay (60/5)

Notable Clubs: Nacional (43/9), Ajax (21/2), Botafogo (47/7), Corinthians (7/0), Boca Juniors (30/6), Seattle Sounders FC (191/41), Orlando City SC (34/1), Houston Dynamo (4/1)

Estimated Transfer Value: €1M

Notes: Developed by Barrio Obrero and Nacional. Won four league titles with Nacional. Won two Dutch Eredivisie titles and a Dutch Cup with Ajax. Won an Argentinian league title and a Copa Argentina with Boca Juniors. Won two MLS Cups and a CONCACAF Champions League with Seattle Sounders FC. Won a Copa America with Ururguay. Named MLS Newcomer of the Year 2016. Named to CONCACAF Champions League Best XI 2018 and 2022. Named to MLS Best XI 2020.

FORWARD

Sebastian Kowalczyk, 26

Poland

Notable Clubs: Pogon Szczecin (169/19), Houston Dynamo (45/4)

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).

Ezequiel Ponce, 27

Argentina

Notable Clubs: Newell’s Old Boys (27/5), Granada (25/2), Lille (32/2), AEK Athens (56/31), Spartak Moscow (59/19), Elche (47/5), Houston Dynamo (14/6)

Estimated Transfer Value: €7M

Notes: Developed by Newell’s Old Boys.

Amine Bassi, 27

Morocco

Notable Clubs: AS Nancy (106/24), FC Metz (9/0), Barnsley (15/2), Houston Dynamo (63/14)

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.

Familiar Faces

Houston midfielder Nico Lodeiro played for Seattle Sounders FC (191/41), winning two MLS Cups and a CONCACAF Champions League.

Houston defender Ethan Bartlow played his university football for UW (38/6) and youth football for Crossfire Redmond (10/0). Bartlow is a native of Woodinville, Washington.

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.

Squads

Sounders FC from:

Frei, Thomas, Castro, Baker, Bell, Burney, Gomez Andrade, Hawkins, Kim, Kossa-Rienzi, Ragen, Alex, Sousa, Joao Paulo, Leyva, Cristian, Rusnak, Ferreira, Minoungou, Musovski, Rothrock.

Note: I’ve left Travian Sousa and Stuart Hawkins in the squad list, but they both played for the Sounders FC Reserves in their 3:1 US Open Cup victory Thursday night, and are likely unavailable for selection. If they do play a role in this match, expect it to be a short stint as substitutes near the end of the match.

Houston from:

Maurer, Gillingham, Steres, Escobar, Dorsey, Halliday, Bartlow, Sviatchenko, Sargeant, Awodesu, Lodeiro, Artur, Junior Urso, Duenas, Kowalczyk, Valverde, Holmes, Segal, Bassi, Aliyu, Gyamfi, Arzu, Ponce.

National Team Call-Ups

Sounders FC: Nouhou (Cameroon), Vargas (Mexico U-20s).

Houston: McGlynn (United States), Raines (United States U-20s), Rodriguez (Mexico U18s).

Injury List

(as listed on mlssoccer.com at press time)

Sounders FC -

OUT: Baker-Whiting (hamstring), de la Vega (quadriceps), Morris (hamstring), Arriola (knee).

MATCHDAY DECISION: none.

Houston -

OUT: Ennali (knee), Holmes (leg), Quinones (knee), Tarbell (knee).

MATCHDAY DECISION: Sviatchenko (lower body, with such a vague diagnosis, we’ll go ahead and speculate and say sprained penis).

Discipline

(as listed on mlssoccer.com at press time)

No players from either squad are suspended.

Fun Fact

On Saturday, club honours will be bestowed on Nico Lodeiro, Cristian Roldan, and Jordan Morris:  Lodeiro for the quality of his long service to the Sounders FC (95 goals and 58 assists in all competitions + 2 MLS Cups and 1 CONCACAF Champions League), Roldan for his 353rd appearance for the club which took place at St. Louis last week, and Morris for becoming the all-time goals leader for the Sounders FC in all competitions with 87 (per Sounders FC Communications).