The Sounders can secure a playoff berth Saturday. Here’s what to watch.

RENTON — A playoff berth is up for grabs when the Sounders host Houston on Saturday. Whichever team wins secures the playoff spot.

Seattle could also advance with a draw against Houston and a FC Dallas loss/draw against Orlando. Or if Dallas loses to Orlando and Austin loses/draws against Real Salt Lake.

Here’s a look at Saturday’s match:

Sounders (13-9-8) vs Houston (13-8-9)

Time/place: 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Lumen Field in Seattle.

TV: Apple TV+

Radio: 93.3 KJR FM (English) and El Rey 1360 AM (Spanish).

Series history: Seattle leads the all-time series 17-6-8 since 2009.

Storylines

Defense getting stronger

Seattle played one of its worst halves of the season in a 2-2 draw against Houston in Texas last June. Early defensive errors were nullified by a second-half comeback to draw with the Western Conference rival.

The sides are among the top five defenses in MLS this season. Houston has conceded 33 goals while Seattle has allowed 34.

The Sounders have an edge when they face the Dynamo, losing once since 2017 through all competitions (11-1-1). But they haven’t faced newly acquired Houston forward Ezequiel Ponce, who has four goals through all competitions since his club debut in July. The Argentine is listed as questionable for Saturday due to a thigh injury.

Postseason push

In addition to clinching a playoff berth, the Sounders are trying to nab one of the top four seeds, which guarantees home-field advantage in the opening round. They have a favorable schedule to accomplish the goal. Their final four matches are against opponents who hover no more than three points above or three points below their current sixth-place positioning (47 points). Houston is fifth in the West with 48 points.

Injury updates

Sounders midfielder João Paulo (calf) rejoined parts of training this week but will not be available for Saturday’s match. There’s a possibility he could be back for either road match against Vancouver (Wednesday) or Colorado (Oct. 5).

Sounders midfielder Léo Chú contracted a virus, according to coach Brian Schmetzer, and didn’t train Friday. He is questionable for the match against Houston along with forward Raúl Ruidíaz (knee, toe).

Quotable

“Defensively, they’re decent but as stats show, they’re one of the best possession-based teams in the league,” Sounders keeper Stefan Frei said of Houston averaging an MLS-leading 59.6% possession, according to FBRef.com. “I’d argue they know what to do with possession. It’s constructive. It’s not just possession for the sake of 20 passes equals a point. We’re going to have to be very careful in terms of not being too stretched and making sure we’re not getting broken down and having to chase because their midfield is strong.”