FULL-TIME: The Sounders had already secured a spot in the playoffs before the game began, but at least they were able to enjoy the win on the day it happened. After Paul Rothrock scored an early goal, the Sounders shut down the Houston Dynamo offense, winning 1-0 and moving to fifth place in the Western Conference standings.

Echo sounder 1, dynamo 0: Paul Rothrock scored his fourth goal of the season by stopping a poor free throw in the 22nd minute.

SETUPS: The Sounders are playing with the exact same lineup that saw the San Jose Earthquakes draw 2-2 in their last game. The only changes to the squad are Danny Musovski and Dylan Teves, replacing Raúl Ruidíaz and Léo Chú on the bench.

The Seattle Sounders not only have a chance to secure a playoff spot with a win against the Houston Dynamo today, but they’re also sending a message by beating a top-five team in an MLS game for the first time this season of the Western Conference. The Sounders are currently 0-4-4 against these teams, including a 2-2 draw against the Dynamo earlier this year.

The Dynamo are very similar to the Sounders in that they defend well and like to have the ball, but have difficulty converting it into goals. Dynamo leads the MLS with an average possession of 59.6% and allowed the second-fewest goals (33) while outscoring two Western Conference teams (43).

The Sounders should be the overwhelming favorite, however, not least because the Dynamo have never won in 16 trips to Lumen Field. That includes six straight wins for the Sounders in Seattle.

• The Sounders have a 15-5-7 edge over the Dynamo overall.
• Even if the Sounders don’t win, they can secure a spot in the playoffs with a draw if FC Dallas drops points against Orlando City. They can also secure victory with a loss if Dallas loses and Austin FC doesn’t win their game.
• Jordan Morris has already set a record in all competitions (17) and is now within touching distance of becoming the first Sounders player to score 20 goals.
• Román Torres will be honored as the newest Sounders legend in a pre-game ceremony.

Absences: Injury, international duty and suspension

Seattle

OUT: João Paulo – Calf

QUESTIONABLE: Léo Chú – illness; Raúl Ruidíaz – knee

Houston Dynamo

OUT: Lawrence Ennali – knee; Hector Herrera – hamstrings; Nelson Quinones – Knee

QUESTIONABLE: Latif blessing – head; Ezequiel Ponce – Thigh (Questionable)

Sounder:DWWLW
dynamo:WDWDW

Jersey matchup

officer

REF: Allen Chapman; AR1: Michael Barwegen; AR2: Oscar Mitchell-Carvalho; 4th place: Brad Jensen; VAR: Geoff Gamble; AVAR: Jonathan Johnson

Here’s how to watch

Match date/kick-off time: Saturday, September 28, 7:39 p.m. PT

Venue: Lumen Field, Seattle

Global streaming English: MLS Season Pass (Rodolfo Landeros & Mariano Trujillo)

Global streaming Spanish: MLS Season Pass (Adrian Garcia Marquez & Francisco Pinto)

Local radio: 93.3 KJR-FM Seattle, iHeartMedia (Danny Jackson & Steve Zakuani)

National Radio: SiriusXM FC 157 (Simulcast)

Local Spanish radio: El Rey 1360 p.m. (Rodriguez, Maqueda, Tapia)

Can this game be streamed for free? NO

Will Sounders Radio be available as an alternative feed? Yes

Lineups

Highlights will be released as the game progresses.

This is Seattle Sounders vs. Houston Dynamo; Watch with us

Sounder at Heart receives a portion of any sales made through links on this page.