HOUSTON - The Colorado Rapids completed a season sweep of the Houston Dynamo FC on Sunday afternoon with a 1-0 victory at PNC Stadium, concluding their regular season road campaign. It was also Colorado's 8th road win of the season.
The win also puts Colorado level for points (58) with both the Seattle Sounders and Sporting Kansas City. With only one match left in the regular season for Colorado and two for both Seattle and Kansas City, the fight for the top seed in the Western Conference is still on.
During the first half, the Rapids had few scoring opportunities and spent much of their time on the other side of the pitch defending the goal. In the first 45, Houston had eight shots total and four shots on goal.
But the Rapids came out firing in the second half.
Dominique Badji scored from the left side of the box with an assist from Younes Namli to give Colorado a 1-0 lead over Houston in the 57th minute. Badji’s goal against Houston is his third goal in Colorado’s past four matchups.
He scored his second goal since rejoining the Rapids in July off a header in Colorado’s 1-1 draw with Seattle. Then the very next match, Badji scored another header against Portland. The Rapids defeated Portland 2-0 and clinched their spot in the Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Badji now has five goals and five assists, his highest combined total against any MLS opponent, in 12 career matches against Houston. He posted a career-high three assists in a 3-1 win over Dynamo FC in Colorado in July 2017.
Goalkeeper William Yarbrough recorded his 13th shutout of the season, tying Joe Willis (Nashville SC) for most clean sheets this season.
Also hitting important milestones were defenders Danny Wilson and Auston Trusty. Wilson made his 80th appearance for the Rapids and Trusty his 40th. Forward Jonathan Lewis also made his 60th appearance for Colorado after being added to the lineup in the second half.
After wrapping up their road campaign in Houston, the Rapids return home to complete the regular season on November 7 at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park when they take on Los Angeles FC on Decision Day. Next Sunday’s match against LAFC will also serve as the Rapids’ Fan Appreciation Night, where they will thank fans for their continued support throughout the 2021 season.
