Colorado Rapids vs Houston Dynamo
MLS Regular Season, Week 5
March 30, 2019 - 7:00 PM
DICK'S Sporting Goods Park - Commerce City, Colorado
Recent results favor the Rapids
DICK'S Sporting Goods Park has notoriously been a difficult place to play for the Houston Dynamo as they've failed to take all three points from the Rapids at DSGP in over a decade. Since 2009, Colorado has gone 6-0-3 in the last nine home games against the Texas side. Only one of the Dynamo's four head coaches (Dominic Kinnear) has seen success in the Centennial State with his last win being a 3-1 triumph on October 4, 2008. The Rapids have the edge in the head-to-head series at home boasting a 8-3-4 overall record.
DATE |
SCORE |
RESULT |
|---|---|---|
08/30/2009 |
COL 1, HOU 0 |
W |
08/28/2010 |
COL 3, HOU 0 |
W |
07/03/2011 |
COL 0, HOU 0 |
T |
10/27/2012 |
COL 2, HOU 0 |
W |
06/01/2014 |
COL 3, HOU 0 |
W |
08/26/2015 |
COL 2, HOU 1 |
W |
10/23/2016 |
COL 1, HOU 1 |
T |
07/01/2017 |
COL 3, HOU 1 |
W |
07/14/2018 |
COL 0, HOU 0 |
T |
What to watch for...
Connor Cape, Radio Play-by-Play Announcer
The Dynamo come to Commerce City for their first road trip of 2019. An MLS scheduling quirk has seen them open the season with three straight matches at BBVA Compass Stadium and they've taken full advantage of it, jumping out to a 2-0-1 record.
I'm looking for Houston to continue doing what works and what works for them is speed. Alberth Elis may be the fastest player in MLS and finished 2018 with double digit goals and assists. If it's not Elis on the right wing, it could be Mauro Manotas on the left. All Manotas did in 2018 was claim the Dynamo single season goal record with 25.
For the Rapids, this means keeping possession and avoiding turnovers in dangerous areas will be crucial. Getting Benny Feilhaber back would be a boost to the midfield as he'd be a big lift in buffering the backline from having to confront Houston's waves of attack directly.
Although the Dynamo are unbeaten in 2019, they've conceded first in two of their three matches, forcing them to find second half goals. The Rapids have an attack led by Kei Kamara and Diego Rubio. A duo thatwon't be content with just a one goal lead, especially at home.
Jordan Angeli, Radio Analyst
After a tough loss in Dallas, the Rapids look to regroup ahead of a another big test against a Texas opponent. The Rapids should take some confidence in a few things from the Dallas match: They did well holding the ball and dictating the pace of the game which they carried for long stretches of the game. On the defensive when they defend together, as a group, they've proven very hard to break down.
With those two positives to lean on, the Rapids would certainly benefit from the energy if they can grab the opening goal during the run of play. They haven’t been able to score in the run of play since opening day against Portland and one reason for this could be the final pass. For a team still gelling together, this is typically the last piece of the puzzle that comes together. In this match against Houston, I expect there to be more movement off the ball in the attacking third which will mean more opportunities for the Rapids as gaps in the defense will increase.
As for the opponent, Houston comes in riding high with a great start to their season, sitting third in the Western Conference. Houston is a better defensive team than in past years with new addition Kiki Struna and a healthy A.J. DeLaGarza they now have a greater ability to build out of the back. The Rapids will need to keep a close watch on Houston's three up top: Alberth Elis, Mauro Manotas, and Memo Rodriguez. Rodriguez has already capitalized twice this season due to the attention Elis and Manotas attract from opposing defenses. Good communication for tracking and passing off runners in the final third will be essential for the Rapids this weekend.
#ThankYouTim: Tim Howard Commemorative Night
As a way to honor Tim Howard’s legacy, the Colorado Rapids will celebrate different chapter's of his career throughout the 2019 season with the Tim Howard Commemorative Series. Saturday's match against the Houston Dynamo will mark the first of five 'Commemorative Series' games throughout the 2019 MLS regular season.
Each night will be centered around a time period and team central to Howard's storied career and will feature exclusive interviews, giveaways and more! This week we look back at some of Howard's greatest moments with the New York/New Jersey MetroStars.
Click HERE to learn more about the Tim Howard Commemorative Series, including a special 4-game ticket package that includes a limited-edition bobblehead!
Speaking of...
Tim Howard is set to face the Houston Dynamo for the seventh time in his Major League Soccer career. Howard has a personal record of 3-1-2 against Houston and in 2017, he was named to the MLS Team of the Week (Week 18) for his superb six save performance in the Rapids' 3-1 home win over the Dynamo on July 1.
