Houston Dynamo midfielder Griffin Dorsey, left, attempts to block a goal shot by Seattle Sounders midfielder Paul Rothrock, center, as Dynamo goalkeeper Steve Clark (12) sets up in the box during the first half of Game 2 in the first round of the MLS Cup soccer playoffs Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Obed Vargas, Stefan Frei lead Sounders to sweep of Dynamo with second straight shootout victory
HOUSTON (AP) — Obed Vargas scored the decisive shootout goal after a 1-1 tie in regulation and Stefan Frei made a save on a shot by Tate Schmitt in the seventh round, leading the Seattle Sounders to a 7-6 victory on Sunday and a first-round sweep over the Houston Dynamo in the best-of-three series for the MLS Cup.
Neither team found the net until Cristian Roldan scored in the 87th minute with a man advantage — his first goal in his 30th postseason appearance — to give the fourth-seeded Sounders the lead.
But Roldan also had the ball deflect off him for an own goal in the third minute of stoppage time to even the score.
Houston was forced to play a man down from the 66th minute on for a second straight match. Héctor Herrera had a yellow card for a foul on Seattle defender Jackson Ragen changed to a red card for unsportsmanlike conduct after spitting in the direction of the referee’s feet as he walked away. Coco Carrasquilla left with a red card in the opener after receiving two yellow cards four minutes apart.
Defender Nouhou Tolo, who did not have an assist during the regular season, notched the second one of his career in the postseason on Roldan’s goal after subbing in two minutes earlier. Danny Levya earned his first assist in his second career playoff appearance.
Houston Dynamo midfielder Amine Bassi (8) bring down the ball in front of Seattle Sounders forward Pedro De La Vega, right, during the first half of Game 2 in the first round of the MLS Cup soccer playoffs Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Frei did not have a save in regulation in his 34th postseason start — all with the Sounders. Frei was in line for his 15th postseason shutout until the own goal.
Steve Clark finished with six saves — three in each half — for the Dynamo in the 20th postseason start of his career.
The Sounders beat fifth-seed Houston 5-4 in a series-opening shootout in Seattle after a scoreless duel in regulation. The Sounders were a perfect 12 for 12 on PKs in their two victories.
Seattle played the Dynamo to a 2-2 draw in Houston during the regular season and beat them 1-0 at home.
Houston is now 12-3-4 all time at home in the playoffs. The Dynamo set club records with 54 points and eight road wins this season, qualifying for the postseason for a 10th time.
Houston Dynamo forward Ezequiel Ponce, front, blocks out Seattle Sounders defender Yeimar Gomez, back, during the first half of Game 2 in the first round of the MLS Cup soccer playoffs Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Seattle has made the playoffs in 15 of its 16 seasons, winning four conference championships and two MLS Cups (2016 and 2019).
Houston Dynamo forward Tate Schmitt, center, covers his face as he walks away after his penalty shootout kick was stopped as Seattle Sounders midfielders Alex Roldan, left, and Cristian Roldan, right, celebrate their match win during the second half of Game 2 in the first round of the MLS Cup soccer playoffs Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)Houston Dynamo midfielder Sebastian Kowalczyk, left, yells at referee Armando Villarreal, right, after Villarreal did not call a penalty when Dynamo forward Ezequiel Ponce, center, was tripped during the first half of Game 2 against the Seattle Sounders in the first round of the MLS Cup soccer playoffs Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)Seattle Sounders midfielder Alex Roldan, left, blocks the goal shot by Houston Dynamo forward Ezequiel Ponce as Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei, right, defends during the first half of game 2 in the first round of the MLS Cup soccer playoffs Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)Houston Dynamo defender Franco Escobar, center, kicks the ball away behind Seattle Sounders midfielder Paul Rothrock, left, as midfielder Obed Vargas (18) looks on during the first half of game 2 in the first round of the MLS Cup soccer playoffs Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)Seattle Sounders defender Yeimar Gomez, left, and Houston Dynamo forward Ezequiel Ponce (10) battle for a header during the first half of game 2 in the first round of the MLS Cup soccer playoffs Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)Seattle Sounders midfielder Paul Rothrock, left, kicks toward the goal from behind Houston Dynamo defender Micael during the first half of game 2 in the first round of the MLS Cup soccer playoffs Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)Seattle Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei, center, celebrates with goalkeeper Andrew Thomas, left, and Reed Baker-Whiting, right, after Frei’s stop on a penalty shootout kick by Houston Dynamo forward Tate Schmitt during the second half of Game 2 in the first round of the MLS Cup soccer playoffs Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)Houston Dynamo forward Tate Schmitt, left, covers his face as he walks away after his penalty shootout kick was stopped as Seattle Sounders forward Georgi Minoungou, center, and defender Nouhou Tolo, right, run up to celebrate their match win during the second half of Game 2 in the first round of the MLS Cup soccer playoffs Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
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