OUT: DF Richard Mulrooney (R knee surgery); DOUBTFUL: MF Corey Ashe (R knee sprain) ... SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC -- OUT: GK Chris Eylander (L medial knee bone bruise); MF Michael Fucito (R foot sesamoiditis); PROBABLE: DF Tyrone Marshall (R knee ligament strain)
SUSPENDED: none
WARNINGS (suspended next yellow): HOU: Mike Chabala, Brian Mullan, Pat Onstad ... SEA: Osvaldo Alonso, Brad Evans, Fredy Montero
DYNAMO: The Houston Dynamo are in a familiar position. A year ago, coming off back-to-back MLS Cup triumphs, Houston earned a 1-1 draw in New York in the first leg of their conference semifinal series. The Red Bulls then exploded for a 3-0 win in Houston on their way to the MLS Cup Final. "We did the same thing last year and we didn't win. If you depend on playing and winning at home then you're looking at something that might not happen," said Dynamo coach Dominic Kinnear. ... With all the playoff experience the Dynamo have amassed in their first three seasons in Houston, it was something of a surprise to see two relative newcomers starting at fullback in the first leg -- right back Andrew Hainault, in his first season after arriving from the Czech Republic, and left back Mike Chabala, whose MLS debut came this year, his fourth season as a professional. "I thought they came through all right," said Kinnear. "To come out with a shutout ... I think the guys should be proud overall of the effort they put out in both sides of the ball." ... In the first leg, the Dynamo backs were matched up against rookie Steve Zakuani and Nate Jaqua, who moved to a wide right role with Freddie Ljungberg moving into an underneath striker position. "Zakuani can turn the game with his pace and Nate and Ljungberg are very good players," said Kinnear. "If you look around, they are pretty complete across the front. Every guy has a little something different. It's tough." ... The Dynamo have had some key injuries coming down the stretch, but they are getting closer to full health with each passing day. Midfielder Ricardo Clark and forward Luis Angel Landin are nearing 100 percent fitness, while Corey Ashe, who injuring his knee in a friendly against Mexican side Monterrey on Oct. 11, returned to full training during the week and could play a part in Sunday's match. "When you look at our bench, it's just two forwards and some defenders," said Kinnear. "There's not too much in the midfield unless we move Geoff Cameron up, so it's nice to have another guy available."
SOUNDERS FC: The difference in the first leg nearly came from set pieces, and it seems certain they will play a major role in determining the semifinal series winner as well. Sounders FC scored seven goals from corner kicks in 2009 -- tops among the 15 MLS teams -- while the Dynamo scored just one fewer. Sounders FC did not allow a single goal from a corner kick, though, while the Dynamo conceded a league-high six. "[Houston] does a good job of freeing guys in the box, whether you call them picks or screens," said Seattle head coach Sigi Schmid. "They create opening for players, so we need to do a good job of staying with our people when we're marking them." ... However, Sounders FC did not score a single goal on the season from a free kick, while the Dynamo had five in all, two struck directly for goal and three others where the dead ball service led to the goal. The Dynamo allowed two goals from free kicks, while Seattle conceded one. "We played a lot of set pieces and maybe we should have scored on some," said Freddie Ljungberg of the first leg. ... In the first leg, the Dynamo committed 18 fouls to six for Houston. While the fouls do create set-piece chances, they can also disrupt the Seattle attack. "I think we just have to move the ball," said Zakuani. "Against that kind of team, if you keep the ball too long they get on you, they get guys back and you lose it. They are physical, they're strong, but if the ball is moving they commit a lot of fouls. Move the ball, keep the game flowing and we should be fine." ... The Sounders were dealt an injury blow in the minutes leading up to kickoff when Tyrone Marshall could not go and Patrick Ianni stepped in at central defense. Ianni nearly came through with a header off the bar from a corner -- nearly duplicating his goal during July 11 league win against his former club. "To be honest, early in the game in the first 10 minutes I think we showed a little bit of nerves, mainly nerves because of the change with Tyrone right before the game," Schmid said. "Even though we have complete confidence in Patrick Ianni, and Patrick played very well, still it's a last-minute change." ... Marshall was not able to participate in full training at the start of the week, but is hopeful the 11 days between games will allow him to reclaim his place. "I'm hoping, cross my fingers, that I'm healthy and able to go in there and add that experience so we can move on to the next stage," Marshall said. Said Schmid: "We approach it as if Patrick is going to play again. If Tyrone is ready to play, we make that decision as we move towards the end of the week."
