July 14, 2012
MLS SUNDAY
A look at the upcoming games

Seattle Sounders FC (8-5-6, 30 pts)@ New York Red Bulls (9-5-4, 31 pts), 3:00 pm CT (ESPN)
The New York Red Bulls put their undefeated home record on the line Sunday against Seattle Sounders FC at Red Bull Arena. The Sounders got a lift in the standings and in morale over the past week, snapping a nine-game winless streak with a 2-1 win over the Colorado Rapids and welcoming Steve Zakuani back onto the field after a year-plus layoff due to a broken leg on Saturday, then defeating Chivas USA for a berth in the US Open Cup Final on Wednesday. Eddie Johnson scored the game-winning goal against Colorado, and Mauro Rosales assisted on both goals, giving him four helpers in his last five games. The Sounders also might have “A” goalkeeper Michael Gspurning back in net against the Red Bulls, after an extended injury layoff. The Red Bulls are third in the nip-and-tuck MLS East, and this week dealt with a falloff in production from forwards Kenny Cooper and Thierry Henry by acquiring Sebastien Le Toux from the Vancouver Whitecaps in exchange for workhorse midfielder Dane Richards. New York lost their last match 2-0 to New England, and have just one win in their last six games.

DC United (10-5-3, 33 pts)@ Houston Dynamo (6-5-7, 25 pts), 8:00 pm CT (CSNMA, Galavision)
The Houston Dynamo and DC United close out their season series on Sunday at BBVA Compass Stadium.. The home team took each of their first two meetings in 2012, Maicon Santos leading DC to a 3-2 win on April 28 at RFK Stadium, and Brad Davis scoring the lone goal in Houston’s 1-0 win May 12 in Texas. Houston has not scored a goal, or allowed one, in their last two games, and are coming off a scoreless draw with Sporting Kansas City at Livestrong Sporting Park. Goalkeeper Tally Hall made four saves for the clean sheet. Sporting netminder Jimmy Nielsen took MLS Save of the Week honors for a clutch stop on Houston DP Boniek Garcia. United are well-rested, having not played since a 3-0 home win over Montreal on June 30. Chris Pontius scored for the fourth time in his last three games, and Dwayne De Rosario notched his league-leading tenth assist. United have lost only once at home this season, and look at every home match as a chance to gain ground in the Conference race.