Sounders open first round with shootout victory over Dynamo after scoreless duel in regulation
Sounders open first round with shootout victory over Dynamo after scoreless duel in regulation
Seattle Sounders midfielder Alex Roldan reacts after making a game-winning penalty kick against the Houston Dynamo in a first-round soccer match of the MLS Cup playoffs, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Sounders midfielder Alex Roldan reacts after making a game-winning penalty kick against the Houston Dynamo in a first-round soccer match of the MLS Cup playoffs, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Houston Dynamo defender Franco Escobar (2) tackles the ball away from Seattle Sounders forward Pedro De La Vega (10) during the first half of a first-round soccer match of the MLS Cup playoffs, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldan, left, falls against Houston Dynamo midfielder Artur, second from left, as midfielder Amine Bassi (8) looks on during the first half of a first-round soccer match of the MLS Cup playoffs, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
The Emerald City Supporters set off smoke flares as they march to Lumen Field before a first-round soccer match of the MLS Cup playoffs between the Seattle Sounders and the Houston Dynamo, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Sounders forward Georgi Minoungou, center, and midfielder Danny Leyva, right, celebrate beating the Houston Dynamo in penalty kicks in a first-round soccer match of the MLS Cup playoffs, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Sounders midfielder Alex Roldan hugs goalkeeper Stefan Frei (24) after making a game-winning penalty kick against the Houston Dynamo in a first-round soccer match of the MLS Cup playoffs, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Sounders midfielder Alex Roldan, left, hugs goalkeeper Stefan Frei (24) after making a game-winning penalty kick against the Houston Dynamo in a first-round soccer match of the MLS Cup playoffs, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Sounders midfielder Alex Roldan makes a game-winning penalty kick against the Houston Dynamo in a first-round soccer match of the MLS Cup playoffs, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei reacts to saving a penalty kick attempt against Houston Dynamo defender Erik Sviatchenko during a first-round soccer match of the MLS Cup playoffs, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei (24) hugs midfielder Albert Rusnák and midfielder Alex Roldan, third from right, after Roldan scored the game-winning penalty kick against the Houston Dynamo to win a first-round soccer match of the MLS Cup playoffs, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Sounders forward Pedro De La Vega, right, reaches for the ball against Houston Dynamo defender Franco Escobar (2) during the first half of a first-round soccer match of the MLS Cup playoffs, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Houston Dynamo midfielder Artur, center, reacts to his shot going wide as Seattle Sounders midfielder Albert Rusnák (11) looks on during the first half of a first-round soccer match of the MLS Cup playoffs, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Houston Dynamo midfielder Artur, left, gets off a shot as Seattle Sounders midfielder Albert Rusnák, right, defends during the first half of a first-round soccer match of the MLS Cup playoffs, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Sounders midfielder João Paulo, center, battles against Houston Dynamo midfielder Héctor Herrera, right, near the goal box during the first half of a first-round soccer match of the MLS Cup playoffs, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Sounders midfielder Paul Rothrock calls for possession against the Houston Dynamo during the first half of a first-round soccer match of the MLS Cup playoffs, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Sounders forward Jordan Morris goes up for a header against the Houston Dynamo during the first half of a first-round soccer match of the MLS Cup playoffs, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Sounders midfielder Paul Rothrock, left, looks to shoot against Houston Dynamo midfielder Griffin Dorsey, right, during the first half of a first-round soccer match of the MLS Cup playoffs, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Sounders defender Yeimar Gómez, right, wins the ball against Houston Dynamo forward Ezequiel Ponce, left, during the first half of a first-round soccer match of the MLS Cup playoffs, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Sounders defender Jackson Ragen, left, moves the ball against Houston Dynamo midfielder Héctor Herrera (16) during the first half of a first-round soccer match of the MLS Cup playoffs, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Fan hold up scarves during the first half of a first-round soccer match of the MLS Cup playoffs between the Seattle Sounders and the Houston Dynamo, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Sounders midfielder Alex Roldan reacts after making a game-winning penalty kick against the Houston Dynamo in a first-round soccer match of the MLS Cup playoffs, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Sounders midfielder Alex Roldan reacts after making a game-winning penalty kick against the Houston Dynamo in a first-round soccer match of the MLS Cup playoffs, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Sounders midfielder Alex Roldan reacts after making a game-winning penalty kick against the Houston Dynamo in a first-round soccer match of the MLS Cup playoffs, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Sounders midfielder Alex Roldan reacts after making a game-winning penalty kick against the Houston Dynamo in a first-round soccer match of the MLS Cup playoffs, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Houston Dynamo defender Franco Escobar (2) tackles the ball away from Seattle Sounders forward Pedro De La Vega (10) during the first half of a first-round soccer match of the MLS Cup playoffs, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Houston Dynamo defender Franco Escobar (2) tackles the ball away from Seattle Sounders forward Pedro De La Vega (10) during the first half of a first-round soccer match of the MLS Cup playoffs, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldan, left, falls against Houston Dynamo midfielder Artur, second from left, as midfielder Amine Bassi (8) looks on during the first half of a first-round soccer match of the MLS Cup playoffs, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldan, left, falls against Houston Dynamo midfielder Artur, second from left, as midfielder Amine Bassi (8) looks on during the first half of a first-round soccer match of the MLS Cup playoffs, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
The Emerald City Supporters set off smoke flares as they march to Lumen Field before a first-round soccer match of the MLS Cup playoffs between the Seattle Sounders and the Houston Dynamo, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
The Emerald City Supporters set off smoke flares as they march to Lumen Field before a first-round soccer match of the MLS Cup playoffs between the Seattle Sounders and the Houston Dynamo, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Sounders forward Georgi Minoungou, center, and midfielder Danny Leyva, right, celebrate beating the Houston Dynamo in penalty kicks in a first-round soccer match of the MLS Cup playoffs, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Sounders forward Georgi Minoungou, center, and midfielder Danny Leyva, right, celebrate beating the Houston Dynamo in penalty kicks in a first-round soccer match of the MLS Cup playoffs, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Sounders midfielder Alex Roldan hugs goalkeeper Stefan Frei (24) after making a game-winning penalty kick against the Houston Dynamo in a first-round soccer match of the MLS Cup playoffs, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Sounders midfielder Alex Roldan hugs goalkeeper Stefan Frei (24) after making a game-winning penalty kick against the Houston Dynamo in a first-round soccer match of the MLS Cup playoffs, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Sounders midfielder Alex Roldan, left, hugs goalkeeper Stefan Frei (24) after making a game-winning penalty kick against the Houston Dynamo in a first-round soccer match of the MLS Cup playoffs, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Sounders midfielder Alex Roldan, left, hugs goalkeeper Stefan Frei (24) after making a game-winning penalty kick against the Houston Dynamo in a first-round soccer match of the MLS Cup playoffs, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Sounders midfielder Alex Roldan makes a game-winning penalty kick against the Houston Dynamo in a first-round soccer match of the MLS Cup playoffs, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Sounders midfielder Alex Roldan makes a game-winning penalty kick against the Houston Dynamo in a first-round soccer match of the MLS Cup playoffs, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei reacts to saving a penalty kick attempt against Houston Dynamo defender Erik Sviatchenko during a first-round soccer match of the MLS Cup playoffs, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei reacts to saving a penalty kick attempt against Houston Dynamo defender Erik Sviatchenko during a first-round soccer match of the MLS Cup playoffs, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei (24) hugs midfielder Albert Rusnák and midfielder Alex Roldan, third from right, after Roldan scored the game-winning penalty kick against the Houston Dynamo to win a first-round soccer match of the MLS Cup playoffs, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei (24) hugs midfielder Albert Rusnák and midfielder Alex Roldan, third from right, after Roldan scored the game-winning penalty kick against the Houston Dynamo to win a first-round soccer match of the MLS Cup playoffs, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Sounders forward Pedro De La Vega, right, reaches for the ball against Houston Dynamo defender Franco Escobar (2) during the first half of a first-round soccer match of the MLS Cup playoffs, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Sounders forward Pedro De La Vega, right, reaches for the ball against Houston Dynamo defender Franco Escobar (2) during the first half of a first-round soccer match of the MLS Cup playoffs, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Houston Dynamo midfielder Artur, center, reacts to his shot going wide as Seattle Sounders midfielder Albert Rusnák (11) looks on during the first half of a first-round soccer match of the MLS Cup playoffs, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Houston Dynamo midfielder Artur, center, reacts to his shot going wide as Seattle Sounders midfielder Albert Rusnák (11) looks on during the first half of a first-round soccer match of the MLS Cup playoffs, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Houston Dynamo midfielder Artur, left, gets off a shot as Seattle Sounders midfielder Albert Rusnák, right, defends during the first half of a first-round soccer match of the MLS Cup playoffs, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Houston Dynamo midfielder Artur, left, gets off a shot as Seattle Sounders midfielder Albert Rusnák, right, defends during the first half of a first-round soccer match of the MLS Cup playoffs, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Sounders midfielder João Paulo, center, battles against Houston Dynamo midfielder Héctor Herrera, right, near the goal box during the first half of a first-round soccer match of the MLS Cup playoffs, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Sounders midfielder João Paulo, center, battles against Houston Dynamo midfielder Héctor Herrera, right, near the goal box during the first half of a first-round soccer match of the MLS Cup playoffs, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Sounders midfielder Paul Rothrock calls for possession against the Houston Dynamo during the first half of a first-round soccer match of the MLS Cup playoffs, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Sounders midfielder Paul Rothrock calls for possession against the Houston Dynamo during the first half of a first-round soccer match of the MLS Cup playoffs, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Sounders forward Jordan Morris goes up for a header against the Houston Dynamo during the first half of a first-round soccer match of the MLS Cup playoffs, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Sounders forward Jordan Morris goes up for a header against the Houston Dynamo during the first half of a first-round soccer match of the MLS Cup playoffs, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Sounders midfielder Paul Rothrock, left, looks to shoot against Houston Dynamo midfielder Griffin Dorsey, right, during the first half of a first-round soccer match of the MLS Cup playoffs, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Sounders midfielder Paul Rothrock, left, looks to shoot against Houston Dynamo midfielder Griffin Dorsey, right, during the first half of a first-round soccer match of the MLS Cup playoffs, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Sounders defender Yeimar Gómez, right, wins the ball against Houston Dynamo forward Ezequiel Ponce, left, during the first half of a first-round soccer match of the MLS Cup playoffs, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Sounders defender Yeimar Gómez, right, wins the ball against Houston Dynamo forward Ezequiel Ponce, left, during the first half of a first-round soccer match of the MLS Cup playoffs, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Sounders defender Jackson Ragen, left, moves the ball against Houston Dynamo midfielder Héctor Herrera (16) during the first half of a first-round soccer match of the MLS Cup playoffs, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Sounders defender Jackson Ragen, left, moves the ball against Houston Dynamo midfielder Héctor Herrera (16) during the first half of a first-round soccer match of the MLS Cup playoffs, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Fan hold up scarves during the first half of a first-round soccer match of the MLS Cup playoffs between the Seattle Sounders and the Houston Dynamo, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Fan hold up scarves during the first half of a first-round soccer match of the MLS Cup playoffs between the Seattle Sounders and the Houston Dynamo, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
SEATTLE (AP) — Alex Roldan scored the decisive goal in a 5-4 shootout after Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Frei and Houston’s Steve Clark dueled to a scoreless draw in regulation, and the Sounders rallied to beat the Dynamo in a best-of-three first-round opener for the MLS Cup on Monday night.
Frei was not tested the whole rainy night and finished without a save in his shutout effort. But he guessed right in the fourth round of the shootout — forcing Erik Sviatchenko to miss wide left. Roldan sent a right-footed shot to the top right corner, delivering the winner for the Western Conference’s No. 4 seed.
Frei led the league in clean sheets this season with 13 after topping the league with 14 last year. He has allowed just 32 goals in 33 postseason starts with 14 shutouts — all with the Sounders.
Steve Clark turned away three shots in his 18th career postseason start — the last six with the No. 5 seed Dynamo.
The Sounders, who joined the league in 2009, have never lost a home match to the Dynamo.
Houston was forced to play a man down from the 66th minute on after midfielder Coco Carrasquilla was sent off for getting two yellow cards over a span of five minutes.
Sounders’ leading goal scorer Jordan Morris left with an injury in the 52nd minute. He was replaced by Raúl Ruidíaz, who scored the first shootout goal for Seattle. Albert Rusnák, Jackson Ragen and Cristian Roldan had the others.
The Dynamo’s successful PKs came from Ezequiel Ponce, Griffin Dorsey, Sebastian Kowalczyk and Daniel Steres.
Seattle has made the playoffs in 15 of its 16 seasons, winning conference championships four times and the MLS Cup twice — 2016 and 2019. The club got off to the worst start in its history this season before going 12-2-3 in the second half.
Houston, which set club records with 54 points and eight road victories this season, will host the Sounders on Sunday.
The Dynamo are making their 10th postseason appearance and first in back-to-back seasons since 2013. The two clubs played to a 2-2 draw in Houston during the regular season. Seattle beat the Dynamo 1-0 at home.