Two months and 22 days ago, the Seattle Sounders won MLS Cup. Since that day a parade-march wound through downtown, half the roster changed, national team camps opened and closed, Seattle went through a preseason without a win, and now there is today — opening day of a title defense. Houston Dynamo host the 2016 MLS Cup champions at 5:30 PM PT on Q13 Fox.
As the Sounders reloaded to defend their Cup, the Dynamo rebuilt a team that has not made the playoffs in three seasons. Leading Houston is Wilmer Cabrera, the former coach of Chivas USA and Rio Grande Valley FC. The Colombian great is pulling Houston out from under the pragmatic tent that Owen Coyle constructed over Dom Kinnear’s pragmatic umbrella.
Ricardo Salazar is the center referee. Forget the painful history in that US Open Cup Final. Salazar is one of the better refs in the league.
Juan David Cabezas is suspended and will not play for Houston. Joe Willis is out with a knee injury. Both Brad Evans and Aaron Kovar are unavailable for the Sounders.
nos audietis in somniis | nos audietis in altum
you will hear us in your sleep | you will hear us from the deep
this is our Sound
Keys to the Game:
- Effective width from full backs
- Limiting Alonso’s need to run
- The attacking leviathan of Clint-Jordy-Nico
- Defensive pentagon holding strong (Frei-Marshall-Torres-Alonso-Roldan)
How to Watch
Match date/time: 5:30 PM PT, Saturday March 4, 2016
Venue: BBVA Compass Stadium, Houston, Republic of Texas
Online Streaming: MLS Live
Local TV: Q13 FOX (Costigan, Keller)
Local Radio: KIRO 97.3 FM (Johnson, Fewing)
Local Spanish Radio: El Rey 1360 AM (Rodriguez, Antipolo)
International TV
Australia: beIN Sports (AUS) | Asia: beIN Sports (ASIA) | Brazil: Globosat | Middle East and North Africa: Abu Dhabi Sports | Singapore: Starhub | Taiwan: Sportcast | United Kingdom: Sky Sports
How I'm watching
Outfit: Emoji Heritage hoodie with a 2012 Sounder at Heart/Nos Audietis scarf
Where: A friend’s house with a smattering of Sounder at Heart staff.
This is your Sounder at Heart gamethread; it is your home for live analysis of gameday action.