U.S. Open Cup Semifinal Preview: Seattle Sounders FC vs. Houston Dynamo

The top two teams in the MLS Western Conference will battle it out for a spot in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final.

The upstart Sounders squad has been the story of the season so far in the MLS, and have a chance at picking up some silverware in their inaugural season.  Houston, though, will no doubt be a tough test, and will be looking to exact revenge on the team which beat them controversially 2-1 in their previous meeting.

In the first ever meeting between these clubs last weekend, Brad Davis put the Dynamo in front with a left-footed on strike on 12 minutes.

Fredy Montero would equalize on a long pass from Nate Jaqua midway through the first half, even though the ball did not appear to cross the goal line.

"I know for a fact it wasn't in," decried Houston coach Dominic Kinnear after the match.  "I know he's wrong. I'm sure he'll watch it and know he's made a mistake. But it's too late."

A Patrick Ianni bicycle kick just seconds into the second half would prove to be the match winner for the Sounders.  The goal was even sweeter for Ianni as it came against his old team.

Both teams had matches on Saturday, which will leave only two full days of rest before the semifinal match-up.  The Dynamo were missing nine regulars during their last encounter and will be shorthanded for this match as well.  Defenders Eddie Robinson and Richard Mulrooney are both out indefinitely following knee surgeries.  Left back Wade Barrett and forward Cam Weaver are listed both as questionable.

Houston will have both first choice center backs available.  Bobby Boswell and all-star Geoff Cameron were both suspended for their previous match-up with the Sounders.

Due to the USA's 2-1 win over Panama in the CONCACAF Gold Cup, forward Brian Ching and midfielder Stuart Holden will still be on national team duty.  Defender Andrew Hainault, a member of Canada's squad, will likely be available following Canada's 1-0 loss to Honduras.

The Sounders will be without versatile midfielder Brad Evans who is away with Ching and Holden representing the USA.  New signing Leonardo Gonzalez, yet to make his Sounders debut, is a member of the Costa Rica squad.  He could be available pending the outcome of today's Gold Cup quarter-final match with Guadeloupe.

All things considered, this should be a very entertaining match.  Houston boasts the league's best defense, while the Sounders are tied for the most goals scored in MLS play.  Seattle will be playing at home, where they are 9-1-3 in all competitions this year.

It should be noted that their home venue for U.S. Open Cup games is at the Starfire Soccer Complex in Tukwila, WA, not Qwest Field.  The stadium holds approximately 4,500 spectators.

The winner of this game will face the winner of the DC United vs. Rochester Rhinos (USL-1), who are contesting the other semi-final.  Should DC United win, they will host the final.  If the Rhinos pull off the upset, the winner of the Seattle vs. Houston will host.

Prediction: Seattle Sounders 1-1 Houston Dynamo (Sounders win in PK's)