Zach Steinberger challenges former Whitecaps DP Eric Hassli during the Dynamo scrimmage vs San Antonio Scorpions
Awaiting Rapids’ visit, shorthanded Coyle focused “on what we can control”
by Scott Nicholls
Houston, Texas — The Houston Dynamo could be without 8 first team players when they face the Colorado Rapids this weekend at BBVA Stadium.
Giles Barnes and Jermaine Taylor represent Jamaica, Luis Garrido and Boniek Garcia represent Honduras, and then there are the injury worries.
Orlando head to Quebec without 7
Ricardo Clark and DaMarcus Beasley came off injured in the game versus Los Angeles and midfielder Nathan Stugis played the rest of the game hurt after tweaking his hip.
Take these three injuries, add them to Raul Rodriguez, sprinkle in the players on international, and you have a recipe for a team selection Saturday that is putting it extremely lightly will be “make-shift”
Owen Coyle spoke about this issue on Tuesday:
“Hopefully we’ll have one or two back,” said Coyle of the injured players. “Raul can maybe step up his training and be in contention, Ricardo? he might be out a bit longer than the rest, but again, we’ll await news. I think we’re most affected by this than anyone else in the league.”
Coyle notes that Colorado will be only without Shane O’Neill this weekend because of international duties.
There has been an interesting dynamic to the atmosphere at the Dynamo camp this week. Practice has been more intense than usual, not to mention the inclusion of a scrimmage versus USL Pro’s San Antonio Scorpions.
Houston v Scorpions Photo Gallery
Fringe players were involved and they played hard. Houston ended the game vs San Antonio with four academy players on the field, the pick of the bunch being Christian Lucatero. Lucatero played most of the 90 and probably should’ve had a few goals to his name by the final whistle.
This weekend is being seen as a massive opportunity for a lot of young players. The likes of Chandler Hoffman, Zach Steinberger and AJ Cochran all impressed with places up for grabs. Alex Lopez — now sans designated player status — is someone who will be considered for a first team spot this weekend.
DaMarcus Beasley and Nate Sturgis are officially listed as “questionable” for the game versus Colorado, expect at least one of the two to play. Both of them practiced fully Thursday morning but Owen Coyle was keeping his cards close to his chest:
“They were in training but they weren’t 100% it’s a gradual progression. I’d say they’re about 70% today was about us getting them on the grass.”
The Colorado Rapids so far this season have neither scored, nor conceded a goal. It’s difficult to assess where they might be right now, how does a manager prepare for a team that is neither conceding, nor scoring?
Rapids drew 0-0 with NYCFC last week
Coyle says he believes the Rapids should’ve beaten NYCFC last weekend, and that they’re a good team. This game, however, everybody at the Dynamo sees as one that Houston should win — absences or not.
The problem Houston must overcome this weekend is getting shots away, and getting them on target. Over the last three games the Dynamo are 20th overall in average shots on goal (largely due to the 0 they put on net versus Orlando), and tied at 19th overall in average shots total. Their shooting accuracy? 35%.
This hasn’t gone unnoticed by young players knocking on the door of the first team. Speaking after the Orlando City game, potential starter this week Chandler Hoffman said:
“As a striker its killer to be left out, not able to do anything.”
The MLS Cup winner spent some time on loan at LA Galaxy II last season, scoring 14 goals in 19 appearances — he knows where the goal is.
It was Hoffman who forced the ball over the line versus the Scorpions on Tuesday and he feels he’s ready to contribute right away.
“When I’m on the field it’s a very attack minded player you’re getting. I feel that might change the dynamics a little bit. There are times when where I think if i’m in the game, I could’ve put one of the chances away.”
Hoffman is expected to start alongside Will Bruin who supporters feel has been a bit of a mixed bag as of late. Bruin is ready to make the opporunity he’s being handed count though, saying it’s now his job “to make Owen’s job as difficult as possible.”
Probable Dynamo XI: GK Deric; DF Beasley, Rodriguez, Horst, Sarkodie; MF Davis (c), Steinberger, Lopez, Miranda; FW Bruin, Hoffman.
Probable Colorado XI: GK Irwin; DF Harrington, Watts, Burling, Riley; MF Pittinari, Cronin, Sarvas, Ramirez, Powers; FW Torres.
Players Unavailable (Houston): Boniek Garcia, Luis Garrido, Jermaine Taylor, Giles Barnes — international duty
Players Unavailable (Colorado): Shane O’Neill — international duty.
Injury Report.
Houston Dynamo: DaMarcus Beasley – L hamstring strain (Questionable); Nathan Sturgis – R sartorius strain (Questionable); Ricardo Clark — R costochondral fracture (Doubtful).
Colorado Rapids: Drew Moor – R knee injury (Out); Marlon Hairston – shoulder (Out); Carlos Alvarez – ankle (Questionable); Axel Sjöberg – foot (Questionable).
Tomorrow’s game will kick off at 7:30 p.m. CT and will be broadcast live on ROOT SPORTS Southwest (7 p.m. pregame) and on tape delay on Telemundo Houston (11 p.m. broadcast). The game can be heard on Yahoo Sports Radio 1560 AM and 850 AM (Spanish).
Saturday is the first of three meetings between the Western Conference rivals. The Dynamo visit the Rapids on Aug. 26 and host Colorado again on Sept. 26.
Following tomorrow’s game, the Dynamo face Seattle Sounders FC on Saturday, April 4 at CenturyLink Field in Seattle.
