Dynamo vs Rapids Preview by Chris Brown
Colorado Rapids travel to Texas for a matchup against Houston Dynamo Saturday night.
This is the first time these two sides have faced each other in 2016 and though there are only a handful games left in the season Houston and Colorado will play a second time in just a few weeks, at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
Tim Howard and the leagues best defense locked up a playoff spot vs Portland last week. (Photo Credit: Corbin Elliott)
Colorado clinched a playoff spot in their last match at home against Portland Timbers. A second half goal from Sebastien Le Toux was the difference in a feisty match against last years MLS Cup Champions. The win also put Colorado on 51 points for the season, equaling the Rapids highest ever point return for a single season, a total that Colorado hopes to build on against Houston.
Houston have had a difficult season and currently sit at the foot of the Western Conference Table. The Orange and White to have a chance to play spoiler against the Rapids who are still fighting hard to gain home field advantage in the playoffs. Despite their poor position in the table, Houston hasn’t been terrible at BBVA Compass Stadium in 2016 having only lost three matches at home while winning five and drawing seven.
Sebastien Le Toux scored his first goal for Colorado in last weeks 1-0 victory against Portland (Photo Credit: Corbin Elliott)
Jermaine Jones and Bobby Burling are still out for the Rapids but Kevin Doyle should be back in the fold after missing time with an ankle injury. Doyle seemed set to go last week against Portland but Pablo Mastroeni opted for caution, leaving the Irish International out the squad. Doyle should play on Saturday night, but he may be limited to an appearance off the bench. With a playoff spot locked up it would make sense to ease Doyle back in to make sure he’s healthy and set to go for the postseason.
Michael Azira is available for selection again after being suspended for a match because of yellow card accumulation.
For Houston, Head Coach Wade Barrett is with Spanish defender Agus and homegrown keeper Tyler Deric. Joe Willis has played most of the season in goal for Houston and is fine starting in goal against the Rapids.
For Colorado, the key to the game will be passing tempo, as it has been for most of the season. When the Rapids linger too long on the ball its easy for opponents to press them and shut them down. If Sam Cronin and Michael Azira can set a crisp tempo with one or two touch passing the rest of the team follows suit and passing triangles appear everywhere.
Rapids designated player Kevin Doyle could return to the lineup following injury. (Photo Credit: Corbin Elliott)
Houston Key to the game will be Boniek Garcia leads Houston with nine assists on the season and Colorado will do their best to give Garcia and fellow midfielder Alex as little time on the ball as possible. Whoever is playing forward for Houston, whether Andrew Wenger or Will Bruin, will need to time their runs carefully. With Sam Cronin and Michael Azira looking to take time and space away from the Houston midfield, Houston’s forwards need to sit on the back shoulder of the Rapid defense and give Garcia, Clark and Alex options for a quick pass.
For Colorado the end of season schedule is almost ideal. On paper Colorado should beat Houston in both in their meetings, not only helping the Rapids chances of playing at home in the postseason, but also building momentum at perfect time. Rapids fans will remember 2010, when momentum at the end of the season was enough to take an average Colorado side to the franchises first and only MLS Cup.
