Seattle Sounders vs. Houston Dynamo Prediction, Preview and Odds - 7/7/21
Seattle is 7-5-0 with 26 points and second in the MLS Western Conference but tied on points with first place Sporting Kansas City. The Seattle Sounders are looking to make MLS history when hosting the Houston Dynamo at Lumen Field on Wednesday. With their 1-1 draw last time out against Colorado, the Sounders are unbeaten in 12 consecutive matches to start the season and would set a new record with a win or draw on Wednesday. Striker Raul Ruidiaz has been Seattle's up front strength and leading goal scorer, but eight different players have scored goals this season for the Sounders .
Houston is seventh in the Western Conference with a record of 3-6-3 and 15 points. The start of the Houston Dynamo season has not been as spectacular as that of Seattle but the Dynamo are doing enough to earn points. Houston has taken four points from its last four matches and must come up with big in the backline and in goal against the high-scoring Sounders. Houston is unbeaten in each of its last four (4 draws), but the Dynamo seem to tire out as the match moves into the late minutes, conceding 10 out of a total of 17 goals during the second half. Last weekend in a 1-1 draw with Cincinnati, Houston outshot Cincinnati 21-11
Seattle will be Short-Handed
The Seattle Sounders will be looking to set a new MLS record by stretching their start of the season to 13 consecutive unbeaten matches but could be without several key players. Midfielder Will Bruin has a torn meniscus and winger Jordan Morris as well as midfielder Jordan Delem both are out with injuries. Goalkeeper Stefan Frei has a knee injury and is a question mark, while midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro is out recovering from surgery on his right knee.
Also out for Seattle will be Alex Roldan who will be on International duty at the Gold Cup with El Salvador. Christian Roldan will be playing for the U.S. National team in the same tournament. The leading goal scorer this season four Seattle has been Raul Ruidiaz with 9 and Joao Paulo leads all players for the Sounders with four assists, which is third in the MLS.
International Duty Makes Dynamo Shorthanded
The Houston Dynamo will also be shorthanded in their matchup on Wednesday against Seattle. Ethan Bartlow is out with a concussion, while midfielder Darren Ceren is playing in the Gold Cup for El Salvador and second-leading scorer Tyler Pasher will miss out while representing Canada in the Gold Cup. Maynor Figueroa and Bobiek Garcia will both suit up for Honduras in the tournament and miss Wednesday’s match.
However, Houston will have its leading goal scorer Maximiliano Urruti on the pitch. The Argentine has scored six goals and is tied with Fabrice Picault and Pasher for the lead in assists with two each. Urruti, who is 30 years old, has used his experience to score three of Houston’s away goals this season.
Pick: Seattle Sounders -167
Seattle looks to set a new MLS record with a win or draw and even though the Sounders will be shorthanded the club will come out on top Wednesday. Houston has not posted a win this season on the road and has scored only two or more goals once when away from home. Houston has less talent top to bottom and the loss of several players on international duty will affect the Dynamo more. Seattle has won each of the last 7 matches against Houston. The Sounders have outscored their opponents in the MLS 21-8.
Total: over
Although Houston is not known for its scoring prowess and has posted drawers in each of its last four matches, the total has finished over 2.5 goals in six of the Dynamo’s 12 MLS fixtures this season. Seattle has scored 21 goals through 12 matches and the total has exceeded 2.5 goals in three of Seattle’s last four matches as well as in six of the first 12.
