Seattle Sounders v Houston Dynamo: Schmetzer looking for enhancements in remaining third

Brian Schmetzer has seen loads of positives from Seattle Sounders thus far this season however insists they’re engaged on their goalscoring forward of their match in opposition to Houston Dynamo.

Seattle have received simply one in every of their 4 MLS matches thus far this season – a 5-2 thrashing of Los Angeles FC of their final residence match.

The Sounders sit tenth within the Western Convention on 4 factors and want to bounce again after managing only one shot on course in final weekend’s loss to St. Louis Metropolis.

“We’ve been engaged on scoring objectives,” he stated. “The possession stats in opposition to St. Louis have been good, however we’ve received nothing to indicate for it.

“We’d like good product and build-up within the remaining third. That’s what we’re engaged on this week.

“I really feel with this group, all of them know the system and the following take a look at goes to be in opposition to a great Houston group, and we hope to get three factors at residence.”

All eyes on tomorrow night time pic.twitter.com/Z4mNhx87fE

— Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) March 21, 2025

Houston, in the meantime, have endured a torrid begin to the 2025 MLS season, and are nonetheless looking for their first win of the marketing campaign. They sit second from backside within the desk, forward of solely LA Galaxy.

They earned their first level of their final highway recreation – a 0-0 draw with Columbus Crew – however received a pleasant in opposition to the El Salvador nationwide group in midweek, a take a look at which head coach Ben Olsen thinks might enhance the group.

“We’re in a scenario the place we haven’t had lots of wins,” he stated.

“Even when it was solely a pleasant win, we threw some gamers into it, and you possibly can see the relationships begin to construct.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Seattle Sounders – Jesus Ferreira

Within the absence of all-time file scorer Jordan Morris in opposition to St. Louis Metropolis, Jesus Ferreira was tasked with main the road however endured an underwhelming outing.

He managed only one shot, price 0.08 anticipated objectives (xG), had solely two touches within the field and had just one remaining third entry earlier than going off within the sixty fourth minute.

Houston Dynamo – Ezequiel Ponce

Ezequiel Ponce scored his first objective of the season in opposition to Actual Salt Lake, although it was not sufficient to set them on their solution to a win.

Having solely had three pictures as a group in opposition to Columbus Crew the week earlier than, Ponce had 4 makes an attempt in opposition to RSL, scoring along with his solely try on course.

Time to hold the momentum into Seattle pic.twitter.com/i5skc2CDmY

— Houston Dynamo FC (@HoustonDynamo) March 20, 2025

MATCH PREDICTION: SEATTLE SOUNDERS WIN

The Sounders have by no means misplaced in 18 all-time residence matches in opposition to Houston in all competitions (W14 D4, together with a penalty shoot-out win in final season’s playoffs). Houston have totaled 5 objectives in these 18 video games, being shut out 13 instances.

Seattle have collected simply 4 factors from their first 4 matches this season with all of them coming at residence (W1 D1). The truth is, Seattle have misplaced solely two of their final 22 regular-season residence matches (W10 D10) relationship again to September 2023.

In the meantime, Houston are off to the worst begin in membership historical past with only one level by way of their first 4 matches (W0 D1 L3). The Dynamo have conceded eight objectives this season, solely permitting extra at this stage of a season as soon as earlier than (10 in 2020).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Seattle Sounders – 51.6%

Draw – 24.6%

Houston Dynamo – 23.7%