Sounders welcome Dynamo back to Western Conference

Sat., April 4, 2015

Don Ruiz Tacoma News Tribune

SEATTLE – After an absence of four seasons, the Houston Dynamo are back in the Western Conference.

That’s where in 2009 they ended the Sounders’ encouraging first season in Major League Soccer.

The teams were paired that year in the playoffs. Their series opened with a scoreless draw in Seattle before shifting to Houston. There the teams played another scoreless 90 minutes. However, nine minutes into extra time, Gonzaga alum Brian Ching scored the winner.

No one knew it at the time, but the basic outline of that expansion season would continue right up to now, when the Sounders play the Dynamo tonight at CenturyLink Field.

Over their six seasons, Seattle has led the league in attendance, continued to rank among the top teams each regular season, continued to conclude in playoff frustration.

For better and for worse, there has been less consistency on the Houston side. In 2010, they missed the playoffs. In 2011, they shifted to the Eastern Conference to accommodate the league’s expansion into Portland and Vancouver – and represented the conference in back-to-back MLS Cups, losing each to the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Last season, Houston fell to 11-17-6 and missed the playoffs. This season they are back in the West, trying to rebuild under Owen Coyle.

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Sounders welcome Dynamo back to Western Conference

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

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