The kickoff time for Leg 2 of the Western Conference Semifinal series in the Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs between the Houston Dynamo and Portland Timbers has been set for 6:30 p.m. CDT, Major League Soccer announced tonight. Sunday’s game will be televised nationally on FOX Sports 1.
Houston travels to Portland for the second leg of the home-and-home series after playing to a 0-0 draw at BBVA Compass Stadium on Monday night. The Dynamo will host a free watch party for fans at King’s Court Bar and Kitchen for Sunday evening’s game.
The Dynamo continued their Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs campaign last night with a 0-0 draw with the Portland Timbers in Leg 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals. The Houston defense posted its fourth consecutive shutout and extended their shutout streak to 417 minutes dating back to Oct. 11.
The Western Conference Semifinal series will be decided based on total number of goals scored in both games. If both teams are tied on goals scored, the first tiebreaker is goals scored away from home, meaning that Houston can advance with either a win or a draw, provided they score at least one goal. In the event of another scoreless draw at the end of regulation on Sunday, the match would go into extra time and, eventually, penalty kicks if still tied after two 15-minute extra time periods.
The Dynamo closed the regular season with a record of 13-10-11 and 50 points, good for fourth in the Western Conference table.
Houston won the MLS Cup in 2006 and 2007, becoming the second team in league history to repeat as champions. The club’s 30 games played in the postseason are the most by any club since 2006 and their four MLS Cup Final appearances are tied for the most in the league over that time span. The club’s 62.1 winning percentage in postseason play is the fourth-highest in league history among teams with at least 10 playoff games played.
The Dynamo have been one of the league’s toughest teams at home this season, with a record of 13-1-5 at BBVA Compass Stadium, including the playoffs. The 13 home wins this year (including postseason) matched the total posted in 2012, the club’s first year in the new stadium. Houston has been particularly prolific in front of goal at home this season, scoring 44 goals while only conceding 17, giving them the best home goal differential in the Western Conference this year.
Should Houston advance on Sunday, they would host Leg 1 of the Western Conference Finals on Tuesday, Nov. 21 at BBVA Compass Stadium. Tickets for that potential game are on sale now to the general public, the club announced tonight.
Tickets for the potential Conference Finals game will start at $32 and will be available online at HoustonDynamo.com/Playoffs, by phone at 713-276-GOAL or at the BBVA Compass Stadium box office. Should the Dynamo not advance to the Conference Finals, fans can apply the funds from their tickets towards 2018 season or single-game tickets.
