SETUPS: With Jordan Morris and Albert Rusnák missing, the Seattle Sounders were forced to change their lineup more frequently than at any time in recent months. In Morris’ place, Raúl Ruidíaz takes the starting kick, while Cristian Roldan takes over for Rusnák at number 10 and Obed Vargas reclaims his place in defensive midfield.

After winning Game 1 in a shootout, the Seattle Sounders have another chance to secure their place in the Western Conference semifinals with another win tonight. Should the Houston Dynamo win, the decisive Game 3 will be played next Sunday in Seattle.

However, a few late injury announcements put a damper on the Sounders’ plans. With Jordan Morris likely already rested with a hamstring injury, the team announced Saturday that Albert Rusnák had felt tightness in his hip and Danny Musovski had injured his quadriceps. Musovski has already been ruled out, but the team is also likely to be a bit cautious with Rusnák.

This gives head coach Brian Schmetzer several options, effectively giving him the choice between Georgi Minoungou and João Paulo. In any case, it probably makes the most sense to place Pedro de la Vega in the middle and Minoungou or Cristian Roldan on the wing.

• Stefan Frei is one shutout away from tying Kevin Hartman for the most points in MLS playoff history. Hartman needed 49 games to post 15 career shutouts, while Frei posted 14 in just 33 career playoff games.
• The Sounders improved to 6-6 all-time in shootouts and now have two straight wins after losing four in a row. Match 1 was the first time they finished a shootout with 5/5 on their attempts.
• If the game is tied at the end of regular time, the game will go straight to a penalty shootout.
• The Sounders are 5-1-1 in their last seven games played March 4, 2017 at Shell Energy Stadium.

Absences: Injury, international duty and suspension

dynamo

OUT: Coco Carrasquilla – Suspension; Lawrence Ennali – knee; Nelson Quinones – Knee

QUESTIONABLE: Brad Smith – Thigh

Sounder

OUT: Jacob Castro – adductors; Danny Musovski – Quad

QUESTIONABLE: Cody Baker – Leader; Jordan Morris – hamstrings; Albert Rusnak – Hip.

Sounder: DDWWW (3-0-2)
dynamo: DWLWL (2-2-1)

Jersey matchup

officer

REF: Armando Villarreal; AR1: Jeremy Hanson; AR2: Tyler Wyrostek; 4th place: Ramy Touchan; VAR: Daniel Radford; AVAR: Mike Kampmeinert

Here’s how to watch

Match date/kick-off time: Sunday, 3:30 p.m

Venue: Shell Energy Stadium, Houston

Global streaming English: MLS Season Pass (Mark Rogondino & Heath Pearce)

Global streaming Spanish: MLS Season Pass (Mark Rogondino & Heath Pearce)

Local radio: 950 KJR-AM Seattle, iHeartMedia (Danny Jackson, Brad Evans & Michelle Ludtka-Furbush)

Local Spanish radio: El Rey 1360 p.m. (Rodriguez, Maqueda, Tapia)

Can this game be streamed for free? Yes

Will Sounders Radio be available as an alternative feed? NO

Lineups

Highlights will be released as the game progresses.

These are the Houston Dynamo’s Seattle Sounders; Watch with us

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