Houston Dynamo set a new club record for road wins in a single season last time out, and Ben Olsen hopes to see more “character” when he travels to the Seattle Sounders.
The 1-0 win over Austin FC last weekend was their eighth away win of the season and moved them into fifth place in the Western Conference with 48 points.
Houston is undefeated in their last five games in MLS and has won their last four away games in succession.
Despite an impressive recent run, Olsen is still pushing his team, with a playoff spot not yet assured.
“The situation where we win the road is fantastic: it shows that we are growing in character,” Olsen said.
“To win away in this championship you need personality, talent and game strategy. We always ask the guys that and it’s good that our road form has been good because our home form hasn’t been great.
“We’re not in the playoffs yet and we have to keep pushing. Hopefully, when or if we get in, we can continue to try to put points on the board.”
There’s no place like home. pic.twitter.com/8a1TAMAiQj
— Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) September 26, 2024
Meanwhile, Seattle sits just one point and one place below Houston in the league table, and they too are in good form, having lost just one of their last five league games.
They are undefeated in their last three games and coach Brian Schmetzer is eager to keep the momentum going heading into the final four games.
“Everything to play for in a narrow ranking,” Schmetzer told reporters.
“We are in good form, but we are at a pretty good level and we have to finish these four games at the same level. We will see if the actions of these matches correspond to what has been said.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Seattle Sounders – Jordan Morris
Jordan Morris scored both of the Sounders’ goals in a 2–2 draw against the San Jose Earthquakes on September 18.
Morris has had nine multi-goal games in his MLS career, the second most for an American since making his MLS debut in 2016 (Gyasi Zardes – 14).
Houston Dynamo – Steve Clark
Dynamo have kept three clean sheets in their last four away games, including the last two in a row, having managed just one clean sheet in their previous 21 away games in all competitions.
Houston has not kept three consecutive clean sheets in all competitions since 2011-12, a record Steve Clark will try to match on Saturday.
Fine-tuning with our goalkeepers pic.twitter.com/RrwWAfFhE6
— Houston Dynamo FC (@HoustonDynamo) September 25, 2024
GAME PREDICTION: THE SEATTLE SOUNDERS WIN
The Sounders are unbeaten in 16 all-time home matches against the Dynamo in all competitions (W13 D3), including winning the last seven meetings in Seattle. Houston hasn’t picked up a point on the road against the Sounders since October 2016.
In fact, the Sounders have lost just two of 44 all-time home games against Texas opponents (W32 D10) in all competitions. Seattle has outscored opponents 80-24 in those games.
However, for the second time in the club’s history, Dynamo won four consecutive matches in all competitions. Houston’s only longest winning streak was a six-game streak in the 2011 and 2012 seasons, including two victories in the 2011 playoffs.
OPT CHANCE TO WIN
Seattle Sirens – 43.8%
Draw – 26.8%
Dinamo Houston – 29,4%
