RENTON – Despite an unprecedented 13-game winless run in the middle of their season, the Seattle Sounders head into the final three games very much in control of their own playoff destiny.
With minimal help, the Sounders can move up to at least sixth and can feasibly get as high as fourth in the Western Conference by winning their remaining games. More immediately, they can clinch a playoff spot by beating the Houston Dynamo on Wednesday (they also need the Portland Timbers to drop points on the road against St. Louis City).
"We understand that, but we’re not thinking that this is a guarantee," Sounders midfielder Paul Arriola said. "It would be silly for us to go in naively. We’ve got three games against teams that are currently above us; we’re going to have to take this game as a must-win to get into the playoffs."
The Dynamo, who have already clinched a playoff spot, currently sit fifth in the Western Conference, five points ahead of the Sounders. But they also are winless in their last seven, have won just one of their previous 12 and have an all-time record of 0–12–3 at Lumen Field.
"We’re going to continue to back ourselves and hope we play a great game and are able to make plays to get three points," Arriola said.
Morris available
After coming out of Saturday's game with an apparent injury, it was a bit of a relief to see Jordan Morris training on Wednesday. Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer confirmed Morris would be available against the Dynamo.
"He had some cramps in his hamstring," Schmetzer said. "He is an explosive, high-speed athlete, and he’s actually being smart. He knows his body, and so when those little red flags come up, we’ve told him that he needs to let us know because the season is more important. Keeping him healthy for the rest of the year is much more important."
On the mend
When Paul Rothrock strained his hamstring about six weeks ago, it was feared that he might miss the rest of the regular season. But after training for the past couple of weeks, Schmetzer said the midfielder should be available on Sunday when the Sounders play the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Improved diagnosis
Similar, when Yeimar Gomez Andrade suffered a hamstring injury last week, the initial diagnosis suggested he might be done for the year. But after receiving a second opinion, Schmetzer said Yeimar might be able to return to the field within 2–3 weeks.
