Sounders Edge Houston in Playoff Opener, Stay Perfect from the Spot
Stefan Frei Saves Penalty, Raúl Ruidíaz Scores Winning Goal
Seattle Extends MLS Playoff Home Unbeaten Streak to 11 Games
The Seattle Sounders extended their unbeaten streak in MLS playoff matches at home to 11 games with a 1-0 victory over the Houston Dynamo FC in the first leg of the Western Conference semifinals on Sunday night at Lumen Field.
Stefan Frei saved a first-half penalty kick to keep the match scoreless and Raúl Ruidíaz scored the lone goal of the match in the 54th minute to give the Sounders the advantage heading into the second leg in Houston on Thursday.
The Sounders have now won their last four home playoff matches, outscoring their opponents 9-2.
Frei Saves Penalty, Sets MLS Record
Frei's penalty save was his second of the playoffs, tying him with Nick Rimando for the most penalty saves in MLS playoff history.
The Dynamo were awarded the penalty kick in the 29th minute after Nouhou Tolo was called for a handball in the box.
Darwin Quintero stepped up to take the penalty, but Frei guessed correctly and made a diving save to his left.
Ruidíaz Scores Winning Goal
The Sounders took the lead in the 54th minute when Ruidíaz scored his third goal of the playoffs.
Ruidíaz received a pass from Cristian Roldan on the left side of the box and took a touch to create space before firing a shot past Houston goalkeeper Steve Clark.
It was Ruidíaz's fifth goal in his last six playoff matches.
Sounders Extend Unbeaten Streak
The Sounders extended their unbeaten streak in MLS playoff matches at home to 11 games with the victory on Sunday.
The Sounders have not lost a playoff match at home since falling to the LA Galaxy in the 2016 Western Conference semifinals.
During their 11-game home unbeaten streak, the Sounders have outscored their opponents 22-7.
What's Next?
The Sounders will travel to Houston for the second leg of the Western Conference semifinals on Thursday, Oct. 27.
The match will be played at PNC Stadium and will kick off at 7:30 p.m. PT.
The Sounders will need to win or draw the match to advance to the Western Conference finals.
