Seattle Sounders 1, Houston Dynamo 0 | 2017 MLS Match Recap

Will Bruin scored against his former team, and he didn't hesitate to celebrate. 

The big striker led the Seattle Sounders past the Houston Dynamo on Sunday night, meeting a pinpoint Cristian Roldan cross to thump a close-range header past Tyler Deric and bank three needed points for the defending MLS Cup champions. 

The goal was just reward for the hosts, who dominated possession from opening to final whistle but struggled mightily to finish their chances.

The victory is the third in Seattle's last four games, sending them into the international break in good spirits. Meanwhile Houston's well-documented road woes continue, as they have taken just one point from a possible 21 in their seven away matches to date.

• Sounders' Bruin admits game-winning goal vs. Houston "a little sweeter"

Goals

• 69' – SEA – Will Bruin Watch

Three Things

DANCING BEAR BITES BACK: The Dynamo were the only pro team Bruin had ever known until they traded him to Seattle for allocation money in December, ending a six-year stint in which he scored some 50 goals for the Orange. Though some players mute their celebrations when they score against their former employers, he did not hold back on Sunday, reflecting the degree of vindication he took from his game-winner, his fourth strike in Seattle colors. 

FINE MARGINS: On paper it's yet another road loss, but this game showed signs that the Dynamo's quick-transitions style can work in hostile environments. Despite doing long stretches of defending and mustering barely half the possession enjoyed by the Sounders, Houston carved open Seattle on several occasions against the run of play. In fact, they put more shots on goal than their hosts, but their finishing deserted them at key moments. 

CLEAN CHAD
: Sounders center back
Chad Marshall
is very quietly constructing yet another sterling season in his 14th MLS campaign, anchoring the back line and providing an important foundation for their skill players further upfield. His passing has been particularly superb in recent weeks...

Next Up

• SEA: U.S. Open Cup: Tuesday, June 13  – vs. Portland (10:30 pm ET | YouTube)
• HOU: U.S. Open Cup: Wednesday, June 14  – vs. North Carolina FC (7:30 pm ET)