MATCH RECAP: Rave Green come up short in 2-1 loss at Houston, but Sounders FC remains atop the West

Despite a stunning goal from Jimmy Medranda late in the first half, Seattle Sounders FC (17-6-6, 57 points) could not overcome a strong attacking performance from Houston Dynamo FC (6-12-12, 30 points) on Saturday evening at PNC Stadium. Playmakers Maxi Urruti and Darwin Quintero scored two early goals to give the home side a 2-0 lead prior to Medranda’s strike, while Houston’s attack also hit the woodwork four times during the contest. Despite tonight’s result, Seattle remains atop the MLS Western Conference, five points ahead of second-place Sporting Kansas City. 

Urruti put Houston on the board in the 14th minute with his seventh goal of the season and fourth career tally against Sounders FC. The Argentine got behind the Seattle defense on a Darwin Quintero free kick and blasted a twisting volley past Stefan Frei to give the home side a 1-0 lead. 

Quintero made it 2-0 in the 20th minute on an impressive individual effort. After receiving a pass from Griffin Dorsey at the top of the 18-yard-box, the Colombian carved his way through three Seattle players before converting a shot at the top of the area for his third goal of the season.  

Medranda pulled one back for Seattle in the 41st minute with his fourth goal of the season, a career high for the Colombian wingback. After a Sounders FC corner kick was cleared, Medranda collected the loose ball and fired a shot from distance past the outstretched arms of Houston goalkeeper Michael Nelson and into the far side-netting to make it 2-1.

Brian Schmetzer’s side continues its two-match road stretch on Wednesday, October 20 against the Colorado Rapids at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park (6:00 p.m. PT / FOX 13+, Prime Video, 1090 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM). Colorado is third in the West, and the two clubs met recently at Lumen Field on October 3, a 3-0 win for Seattle. 

MATCH NOTES

• Despite tonight’s loss, Seattle still sits in first place in the Western Conference with 57 points (17-6-6), already having clinched a postseason berth with five games remaining in the 2021 regular season.

• Seattle’s next two matches are against other top Western Conference opponents, with the Rave Green facing third-place Colorado at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on Wednesday, October 20, followed by a home date with second-place Sporting Kanas City on Saturday, October 23. 

• Tonight’s loss was just Seattle’s third road defeat of 2021, with the Rave Green still best in the West in terms of road performance (9-3-2 this season). 

• Sounders FC is now 11-5-6 all-time against Dynamo FC in regular season play, including a 2-5-4 record in Houston. 

• Prior to tonight’s loss, the Rave Green carried an eight-match winning streak against Houston (including postseason). Before Saturday, Sounders FC’s last loss to Dynamo FC came on March 4, 2017. 

• Jimmy Medranda scored his fourth goal of the season near the end of the first half, a new single-season career high for the Colombian. Medranda’s four goals this season are one shy of his career total coming into 2021.  

• Four of Seattle’s five players that were called into national team duty for the October window dressed this evening. Cristian Roldan and Xavier Arreaga were included in the starting XI, while Alex Roldan and Nouhou were on the bench and featured as second-half substitutes. Raúl Ruidíaz was out tonight with a left hamstring strain. 

MATCH SUMMARY

Seattle Sounders FC 1 – Houston Dynamo FC 2
Saturday, October 16, 2021 

Venue: PNC Stadium
Referee: Nima Saghafi
Assistants: Brian Poeschel, Corey Rockwell
Fourth Official: Rosendo Mendoza
VAR: Edvin Jurisevic
Attendance: 14,265
Weather: 67 degrees and clear

SCORING SUMMARY

HOU – Maxi Urruti (Darwin Quintero) 14’
HOU – Darwin Quintero (Griffin Dorsey, Maxi Urruti) 20’
SEA – Jimmy Medranda 41’

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

SEA – Xavier Arreaga (caution) 54’
HOU – Maynor Figueroa (caution) 79’

LINEUPS & STATS

Seattle Sounders FC – Stefan Frei; Kelyn Rowe, Shane O’Neill (Alex Roldan 87’), Xavier Arreaga, Abdoulaye Cissoko (Nicolas Benezet 63’), Jimmy Medranda (Nouhou 74’); Josh Atencio, João Paulo, Cristian Roldan, Fredy Montero (Léo Chú 74’); Will Bruin

Substitutes not used: Stefan Cleveland, Spencer Richey, Ethan Dobbelaere

Total shots: 11
Shots on goal: 3
Fouls: 11
Offside: 0
Corner-kicks: 7
Saves: 1

Houston Dynamo FC – Michael Nelson; Zarek Valentin, Tim Parker, Teenage Hadebe (Maynor Figueroa 54’), Griffin Dorsey (Joe Corona 77’), Sam Junqua; Adalberto Carrasquilla (Darwin Ceren 63’), Matias Vera; Fafa Picault, Darwin Quintero, Maxi Urruti (Tyler Pasher, 77’)

Substitutes not used: Marko Maric, Alejandro Fuenmayor, Memo Rodriguez, Ariel Lassister, Ian Hoffman

Total shots: 13
Shots on goal: 3
Fouls: 13
Offside: 1
Corner-kicks: 5
Saves: 2