.jpg "Houston-Dynamo-vs.-Seattle-Sounders-(FS1)")
It's been a while since the Houston Dynamo have been truly relevant in the MLS playoffs. This is the first time since 2013 that they have reached the Western Conference Finals, and it comes in relative improbable fashion in a crowded West. The Seattle Sounders are no strangers to this big stage, and they're not going to be intimidated going into the Lone Star State on Tuesday night.
At 10 p.m. ET, tune into FOX Sports 1 for live television coverage of this MLS match on Tuesday, November 21, 2017, at BBVA Compass Stadium.
Soccer Odds at BookMaker.eu
Houston Dynamo +130
Seattle Sounders +205
Draw +240
Over/Under 2.5
Odds Analysis
The Sounders have never won a match in Houston in their history, going 0-4-4 with just eight goals scored in that span. They know that they don't necessarily need to score to have a good shot of winning this home-and-home series, but an away goal would certainly take the edge off, even if this fixture happens to be lost.
That said, the Dynamo are only winning a match like this one if they can figure out how to score against the run of play. All postseason long, they've had the mentality to sit back, let the game come to them and try to score on counterattacks.
It's a little surprising that Houston is the favorite in this match at +130. The Sounders are easy -180 favorites to advance to MLS Cup for the second consecutive season, and if they can get out of the Lone Star State on level terms or better, they'll have to feel good about finishing this tie off in Seattle next week.
How They Got Here
Houston has played 210 minutes of soccer here at BBVA Compass Stadium, and they only have one goal to show for their work in that span. That one goal happened to be the difference-maker against Sporting Kansas City in the knockout round of the postseason, a thrilling strike from Alberth Elis that ended SKC's season.
All truly looked lost for the Dynamo after a scoreless draw at home against Portland in the first leg of the conference semis. They were lifeless offensively and were truly fortunate to escape that match still in the affair. Nothing looked good in the first 40 minutes against the Timbers at Providence Park, especially when Darion Asprilla broke the ice on the affair with his 39th minute goal.
Yet almost miraculously, the Dynamo found their offensive legs about them with a goal from Dylan Remick four minutes later to take control of the series. Mauro Manotas killed the Timbers off with a goal in the 77th minute.
Seattle played just about picture perfect soccer over the course of the 180 minutes against Vancouver in the conference semifinals. The Sounders took the air out of the ball in a scoreless draw at B.C. Place and followed that up with a relatively dominant 2-0 win at home.
Though Seattle struggled offensively for much of those two matches, Clint Dempsey made all the difference in the world. The man who once played such a huge role for the U.S. Men's National Team has come to the rescue of the Sounders time and time again, and he revived the team in the playoffs three weeks ago, too. His goals in the 56th and 88th minutes ended the MLS Cup dreams for the Whitecaps.
Free Soccer Betting Pick
Not only is Dempsey available and seemingly healthy after such a long layoff, but both Osvaldo Alonso and Jordan Morris have beaten off minor injuries and will be in the fold as well.
The Sounders just feel like they're set for a massive run at this point, and Dempsey is going to be at the heart of it. We've seen Seattle's captain go on a huge run by himself and carry this team in the past, and if this really is going to be his last rodeo before retirement, he could be set to go out with a bang.
With apologies to Houston, we just don't think it belongs on the same pitch with Seattle, even with as tight as the West was all year long. The Sounders are healthier now than they've been at any point this year, and that's why they're being incredibly undervalued, even on the road.
The lights could be turned out on Houston before halftime of this home-and-home series.
MLS Odds: Seattle 2, Houston 0
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