Paul Rothrock’s goal lifts Sounders above Dynamo; both clinch a playoff spot

Paul Rothrock led the Seattle Sounders with the only goal in a 1-0 home win over the Houston Dynamo on Saturday night.

Both teams clinched a playoff berth before the match began after FC Dallas lost on Saturday and Austin FC drew on Friday.

Seattle (14-9-8, 50 points) broke through in the 22nd minute following a one-on-one by Rothrock on a rebound following an attack on goal by Albert Rusnak. Rusnak ran into two defenders on the left side of the penalty area, but lost the ball.

The ball didn’t stay loose for long, with Rothrock sprinting towards it, hitting it once with a curling effort around Steve Clark’s outstretched arms and into the bottom right corner of the net. It was Rothrock’s fourth goal of the season.

Rothrock almost helped double the advantage eight minutes later when he sent a cross into the box towards Jordan Morris.

Morris slipped and tried to put the ball into the back of an open net, but the pass had too much pace as Morris sent the ball off the post and out of play.

Both Sounders attempts came after Houston (13-9-9, 48 points) controlled the momentum early in the game. Seattle’s defense settled down after the lone goal, and Dynamo couldn’t create enough creative attacks to challenge veteran Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei.

Frei faced just one shot on goal as Seattle recorded its 11th clean sheet this season. Clark saved three of four shots for Houston.

The Sounders have moved up to fifth place in the Western Conference and are tied on points with the fourth-placed Colorado Rapids with three matches remaining. Seattle would guarantee at least one home playoff game with a top-four finish.

The Dynamo have yet to beat the Sounders in the Pacific Northwest since Seattle’s first season in 2009 (0-13-3).

–Field level media