Seattle Sounders FC vs Houston Dynamo preview. Four local boys returning to their hometown.

By Money Mike


The Seattle Sounders get ready for their third match of the season, friday night against the Houston Dynamo. The Sounders are coming off two 1-0 defeats against the Los Angeles Galaxy and the New York Red Bulls, and are in need of a big response. Meanwhile, the Dynamo are coming off a season opening loss at home to the Philadelphia Union 1-0 thanks to a 5th minute goal by Danny Califf. It was the first time Houston has lost a home opener in their history dating back to 2006. These two teams split the season series last season with Seattle winning 2-0 at Qwest Field on August 8th, thanks to goals by Fredy Montero and Alvaro Fernandez. Houston returned the favor in the final game of the regular season on October 23rd when James Riley's 11th minute goal was soon picked back by goals from Geoff Cameron and former Seattle U RedHawk and USL Sounder, Cam Weaver and came away with a 2-1 win. These two teams need answers!! Cam Weaver isn't the only one returning home. Goalkeeper, Tally Hall who graduated from Gig Harbor High School, Mike Chabala, a Washington Husky and former Gonzaga Bulldog, Brian Ching who also played for the Sounders in the USL make their return to Seattle.


Injury report:

Houston Dynamo - Well, there's really nothing much to talk about here. Calen Carr, who was aquired from the Chicago Fire yesterday in exchange for Dominic Oduro, has a concussion and he is out. Francisco Navas has a strained right hamstring, he is also out. Colin Clark still hasn't played a match for the Dynamo at all yet since being traded from the Colorado Rapids, and it's a question of whether or not he'll debut in this game. A left knee injury lists him as questionable. And Finally, Brian Ching has a strained right hamstring and is listed as probable.

Seattle Sounders FC - For the men in rave green, we have new updates and I promise you, they're good ones. Mike Fucito is still out though with a right adductor strain. Nate Jaqua is expected to suit up for tomorrow's match, but we don't know for sure, he is listed as doubtful. Brad Evans is still recovering from a right hamstring strain, he is also doubtful. Mike Seamon is listed as questionable as he is recovering from right leg neuritis. Pat Noonan is listed as probable with a left adductor strain, don't expect him to make the 18-man squad tomorrow. Last, but not least, Steve Zakuani says he's 100% and ready to go, we'll see if Sigi Schmid will put him in the lineup tomorrow, he's listed as probable.


Key matchup:

Steve Zakuani vs Hunter Freeman: Even though we don't know if Zakuani will start, this is the only key matchup I can think of. Believe me this could be the first time Hunter Freeman will face him and if Zakuani takes him on like, 10+ times, he is going to be under a lot of pressure, I don't think he'll be able to contain him.


Areas Seattle needs to improve on:

Play your game. Which is ATTACK!! ATTACK!! ATTACK!! for 90 minutes. They didn't play that game last saturday against the Red Bulls and thats why I think is the reason they lost. New York came at them all game long because they didn't go after the ball like they were supposted to, and nobody commited forward. There is no excuse for that crap, they need to go after the ball at all times and not let the forwards do all the work in the attacking area.