Our prediction for this MLS match:
There will be fireworks when Houston Dynamo and Seattle Sounders face each other at BBVA Compass Stadium in the Major League Soccer. Houston aim to keep their playoffs hopes alive, and they are likely to go all guns blazing at Seattle. Both Corona and Urruti are pushing for a start, while all Carrasquilla, Lemoine, Lundqvist, and Maric remain in the recovery room. The Sounders, on the other hand, are eyeing their fifth consecutive league win.
Seattle look sharp in front of goal, and seeing that Houston face a must-win situation, we are tempted to put our money on both teams to score. All Delem, Lodeiro, Morris, and Ruidiaz are injured for the visitors, while Australia international Smith is out of contention through illness. You should bear in mind that over 2.5 goals have been netted in each of Seattle’s last five games in all competitions.
Highlighted Player (Mauro Manotas):
Born in Sabanalarga, Colombia on July 15, 1995, Mauro Manotas is a 178-cm tall attacker who plays for Houston Dynamo in MLS. Manotas is a product of the Uniautonoma football school, and he made 25 appearances for the club at senior level.
He made his Uniautonoma debut in a 3-2 win over Valledupar FC on May 29, 2013. Manotas scored his first goal for the club on August 13, 2014 in a Copa Colombia loss to Valledupar. In 2015 he decided to take a step forward in his career, with the Colombia international joining the Major League Soccer side Houston Dynamo.
Mauro Manotas made his MLS debut in a 2-0 loss to Dallas on June 27, 2015, while scoring his first goal in the league in a 2-2 draw with Minnesota United on April 16, 2017. Manotas has yet to receive a call-up for the Colombia national football team, but he has three caps with the U20 team. He scored his first international goal in a 2-1 loss to Brazil on January 23, 2015.
Highlighted Team (Seattle Sounders):
Seattle Sounders are an American soccer club that compete in the Western Conference of Major League Soccer. The Sounders are owned by the likes of Joe Roth, Paul Allen, Drew Carey and Adrian Hanauer and they play their home games at CenturyLink Field.
The club won the 2016 MLS Cup, with the team beating Toronto FC on penalties in the trophy game at BMO Field. Swiss goalkeeper Stefan Frei won the MVP honor after pulling off several brilliant saves in the 2016 MLS Cup final.
Winning of the MLS Cup is undisputedly the club’s biggest success, but it has to be noted that the Sounders clinched the Supporters’ Shield trophy in 2014. Seattle hold rivalry with Portland Timbers, but Vancouver Whitecaps are regarded as the club’s bitter rivals as well.
Experienced attacker Clint Dempsey is undisputedly the club’s most significant star and he has been playing for the CenturyLink Field outfit since 2014. He scored eight goals in the league in the 2016 season and, no doubt, he helped the Sounders win their first ever MLS Cup.