Know Your Opponent: Rapids Prepare for Last Away Game Against Houston Dynamo FC

The Colorado Rapids will take on the Houston Dynamo FC for their last regular season road game at PNC Stadium on October 31st. Kickoff is set for 1:00 PM. 

Past Matchups

In the two times Colorado and Houston met this season, the Rapids took 3-1 results and saw six different players score. The Dynamo traveled to DICK’S Sporting Goods Park in May and were handed a road loss by first-half goal-scorers Sam Vines, Cole Bassett and Diego Rubio before the Rapids made the trip to PNC Stadium in August where Lalas Abubakar, Michael Barrios and Braian Galván all found the back of the net to top Dynamo. 

Colorado has maintained good form against Houston, holding a 14-10-10 all-time record against its southern opponent in MLS play. 

Current Form

Houston Dynamo FC enters Sunday’s afternoon matchup on a two-game losing streak after dropping a 3-0 result to LA Galaxy and 2-1 match against in-state rival Austin FC in the past week. In their contest with Austin, Houston trailed by two for nearly the entire game before Ari Lassiter’s cross into the box deflected off of two Austin defenders for an own goal. Prior to the losses, Houston beat top-seeded Seattle Sounders 2-1at PNC Stadium to keep the Dynamo’s playoff hopes alive, but the following defeats dropped them to 11th in the Western Conference and eliminated them from playoff contention.

Key Players to Watch

Dynamo head coach Tab Ramos brought in a number of veteran MLS players for the 2021 campaign, some of the biggest and most impactful names being Fafà Picault and Maxi Urruti. Since joining Houston from in-state rivals FC Dallas, Picault has recorded 11 goals and 5 assists on the season, the most for the Dynamo. Urruti follows his fellow veteran in both categories with seven goals and four assists. With Designated Player Darwin Quintero, Urruti contributed to both goals scored in Houston’s last win over Seattle Sounders FC. 

On the Pitch

• Houston holds a 6-12-14 record this season after recording a single-season MLS record 16-game winless streak spanning from May to September. 

• August’s Rapids and Dynamo matchup marked Houston’s first home loss of the season. 

• Nine Houston players have recorded goals in 2021, compared to 17 for the Rapids.