Houston Dynamo v Seattle Sounders: Schmetzer anticipates challenging road trip

Seattle Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer believes they face a challenging test on the road against the Houston Dynamo in MLS and Tigres in the Champions Cup.

The Sounders have already played four away games in MLS this season, with only Inter Miami playing on the road more often so far in 2026 (five).

Despite that difficult run, Seattle are fifth in the Western Conference with 10 points to their name from their opening five matches.

Their trip to Houston on Saturday will be the last of their away run in MLS, though they also face Mexican side Tigres in the Champions Cup on April 8.

Schmetzer refused to underestimate the threat Houston pose, despite the Dynamo conceding nine goals in their opening four league games (W2 L2).

"It's going to be challenging," said Schmetzer when asked about Seattle's upcoming away games.

"Our start to the MLS season has been good but Houston is a dangerous team.

"They signed some pretty good attackers; their front three is really good. It's always hard to collect points on the road, especially against good teams.

"Then you add to that flying to Houston, then flying back here [Seattle], then flying down to Monterrey is going to be challenging, so we just decided to stay in Houston before going to face Tigres."

On the road again 

Watch #HOUvSEA on @AppleTV  https://t.co/xpsKy5ej6X pic.twitter.com/TlWCMxhsg4

— Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) April 3, 2026

Houston lost 4-3 to FC Dallas last time out, with Erik Sviatchenko seeing red before Dallas secured a late victory in the Texas derby.

All three of Houston’s goals against Dallas were scored in a span of four minutes (29’ to 33’). It marked the first time the Dynamo scored three goals in a four-minute span since doing so in August 2009 against D.C. United (36’ to 40’).

Although Houston have played in high-scoring games this term, including a 3-2 win over the Portland Timbers, Seattle forward Jesus Ferreira believes the Sounders must be clinical on their trip to Shell Energy Stadium.

Ferreira said: "We feel really good. We're missing a lot of players because of the international break and some knocks, but I think the squad is in a good state of mind.

"We know how important away games are and how good we have to be both defensively and offensively, because we might only get one chance [to score] or we might have to clear one chance off the line."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Houston Dynamo – Guilherme

Guilherme has impressed in the early stages of the 2026 season, scoring four goals and providing three assists in four games.

He directly contributed to all three of Houston's goals against Dallas, scoring once and assisting twice.

Seattle Sounders – Albert Rusnak

Albert Rusnak has scored six regular-season goals against Houston, only scoring more against the Colorado Rapids during his MLS career.

Five of Rusnak’s six career goals against the Dynamo have come in Houston, including netting a brace in his last visit in May 2025.

MATCH PREDICTION – SEATTLE SOUNDERS WIN

Seattle have lost only one of their last 19 matches against Houston in the regular season and playoffs (W14 D4) dating back to June 2017.

Houston have done better recently, earning four draws in the last six meetings, but lost two of those on penalties during the 2024 playoffs.

Seattle played out a goalless draw against Minnesota United in their last match, the club’s sixth clean sheet in their last eight regular-season matches dating back to last season and third in a row.

Houston have found the net three times in each of their last two matches (W1 L1) after scoring three or more just twice in their previous 23 matches in all competitions.

The 4-3 defeat to Dallas in their last match marked the ninth time Houston have conceded three or more in the last 25 matches.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Houston Dynamo – 21.1%

Draw – 21.6%

Seattle Sounders – 57.3%