The Seattle Sounders enter this game coming off their first loss in competitive play in nearly two months, a 1-0 loss to San Francisco FC of Panama in the first leg of a CONCACAF Champions League qualifier. Seattle needs to get back into a winning groove, and even as the visiting side they'll be in a good position to do so against the Houston Dynamo. Despite having a roster with a good bit of talent, the Dynamo have struggled to put it together this season and sit on the outside of the playoff race in a weak Eastern Conference. With the Galaxy taking on Vancouver and FC Dallas hosting Chivas USA, the Sounders will likely need three points just to keep pace, making this a pretty huge game where Seattle's Supporters Shield chances are concerned.
Good news for Seattle as Tyson Wahl returns from injury. Seattle's lineup is their standard first-choice, but interesting to note that Lamar Neagle is not in the 18 for tonight's match in what the club is calling a "coaching decision." Something to keep an eye on, as Seattle's midfield options off the bench aren't all that appealing should the Sounders need a goal late in the going.
Sounders Starting XI: Keller; Riley, Ianni, Parke, Wahl; Rosales, Alonso, Friberg, Fernandez; Montero, Levesque
Sounders Bench: Ford, Carrasco, Fucito, Gonzalez, Jaqua, Noonan, Scott
Houston Starting XI: Hall; Ashe, Boswell, Hainault, Freeman; Clark, Moffat, Cameron, Davis; Bruin, Ching
Houston Bench: Deric, Dixon, Garey, Robinson, Sarkodie, Taylor, Weaver