Major League Soccer returns after the March International break as the Seattle Sounders travel to Texas to face the Houston Dynamo at Shell Energy Stadium on Saturday, April 4. The Sounders currently sit 5th place in the Western Conference with 10 points in five matches. The Dynamo are hovering above the playoff line in 9th place with six points.
The Sounders had five players depart for International duty during the break, yet only four players returned. It was announced that Georgi Minoungou was transferred to the Colorado Rapids for a fee of $2 million in General Allocation Money.
Minoungou, who joined the Sounders via the Defiance in 2023, appeared in 53 games in his three seasons. A rather shocking transfer, although the Sounders aren’t weak at the winger position. With the return of Jordan Morris from injury, Georgi Minoungou would’ve dropped further down the depth chart. Since the Burkina Faso International wants consistent play-time, a move elsewhere was mutually beneficial.
“If you’re looking at Paul Rothrock starting, and then Jordan (Morris) was playing a little bit out there, and then you got Paul Arriola and Georgi (Minoungou). There were four guys fighting for one spot,” said Brian Schmetzer on the club selling Georgi Minoungou. “Georgi is a tremendous kid. He has overcome adversity. He is such a nice young man, and I wish him nothing but the best.”
(Photo Credit / Sounders FC Communications)
The international window was a tale of two sides for the players on break. Cristian Roldan made a 45 minute appearance for the USMNT in a 5-2 loss to Belgium. Additionally, while making his international debut for North Macedonia, Danny Musovski was unable to help his country qualify for the World Cup after losing to Denmark.
On the other side, Snyder Brunell scored a goal in a 4-0 win for the USA u-19 squad against Wales. Even more impactful was Osaze De Rosario’s performance for Guyana. De Rosario scored a hat trick in a 3-1 win over Belize and scored a brace in a 2-0 win over Dominica. The Sounders will be hoping that his form in international duty will translate to MLS soon.
Cristian Roldan and Danny Musovski joined the team in Houston, getting limited training with the squad following international duty. Osaze De Rosario and Snyder Brunell returned to the Sounders before flying to Houston prior to the match.
Brian Schmetzer’s squad will remain in Texas following the match against Houston in preparation for their midweek Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal match against Tigres. The Sounders defeated the Whitecaps in the CCC Round of 16.
(Photo Credit / Sounders FC Communications)
The Sounders historically have gotten the better of Houston, holding a record of 18-9-5 (WDL) all-time against the Dynamo. The Rave Green have not lost away in Houston since 2021. The Sounders won 3-1 on the road last season thanks to a brace by Albert Rusnak.
This Houston Dynamo team, led by head coach Ben Olsen, is aggressive in the attack. They have played just four matches in MLS and have scored eight goals. They have scored three goals a piece in their last two matches (a 3-2 win over Portland and a 4-3 loss to Dallas). Houston’s attack flows through their newest designated player, striker Guilherme leads the team in goals with four and is tied with Jack McGlynn for the team lead with three assists.
“Houston is a dangerous team. I mean they signed some pretty good attackers. Their front three are really good, really good players,” said Brian Schmetzer on facing Houston after Thursday’s training session. “It is always hard to collect points on the road, especially against good teams.”
(Photo Credit / Sounders FC Communications)
The Sounders announced that Peter Kingston was signed to a first-team contract prior to the match against Houston. His performance against Vancouver in the CCC was likely a contributing factor. Kingston was a standout at University of Washington and helped Ballard FC win a league title.
The signing was also made in part due to an injury sustained by u22 midfielder Nikola Petkovic. Petkovic, on loan from Charlotte FC, suffered a torn ACL in training during the week. The midfielder will undergo surgery and miss the remainder of the 2025 season. Petkovic had just started to get more minutes for the club and was performing well. Schmetzer indicated that the club would be interested in bringing him back next season, though that is up to Charlotte FC.
With the two weeks of rest, Schmetzer has his pick at a full rested starting lineup. I anticipate Schmetzer rolling out his first choice lineup, or rather his most healthy and fit lineup. Jordan Morris will likely be available off the bench once again. Alex Roldan was limited in training early in the week but was increasing his workload as the week went on. Hassani Dotson will likely be available against Houston, returning from concussion protocol.
(Reporter Ethan Henry’s predicted starting lineup against Houston Dynamo)
As mentioned previously, the Sounders will remain in Houston following the match. They will travel into Mexico to face Tigres on Wednesday before returning back home for the second leg on April 15. The April 12 home match against Real Salt Lake was rescheduled to the September international window to lessen fixture congestion with CCC.
(Cover Photo Credit: Sounders FC Communications)
