HOUSTON — The Houston Dynamo roster is littered with players with ties to the Puget Sound area. Which makes the Sounders FC-Dynamo matchup, entering its fifth chapter Sunday afternoon in Houston, even more intriguing.

Defenders Mike Chabala and Craig Waibel played soccer at the University of Washington. Backup goalkeeper Tally Hall is from Gig Harbor. Waibel and forwards Cam Weaver (Kent/Seattle U.) and Brian Ching (Gonzaga) played for the USL Sounders.

“I didn’t realize we had so many Northwest connections,” an astounded Chabala said Thursday. “That’s incredible.”

The Dynamo and Sounders FC already have a history of intense and physical matches in the first year of Sounders FC’s existence. But to listen to Houston’s players who know this area well, it’s a pleasure to follow the progress of the new team and see the excitement for soccer in this region.

“It’s awesome to see,” Waibel said. “It’s something the city deserved. I’m happy to have played there and be a part of the legacy building up to what they have now.”