Houston Dynamo vs. Colorado Rapids | 2017 MLS Match Preview

Alicia Rodriguez

Houston Dynamo vs. Colorado Rapids
2017 MLS Regular Season
BBVA Compass Stadium – Houston, Texas
Saturday, Sept. 9 – 8:30 pm ET
WATCH: MLS LIVE

It's been a difficult time for the Houston Dynamo recently due to matters much bigger than soccer. Hurricane Harvey swept through the Houston area a couple of weeks ago, causing damage that may take years to fully overcome. The storm also forced the postponement of the Dynamo's match against Sporting KC, initially scheduled for Aug. 26. That game has been moved to a later date, and the international break gave BBVA Compass Stadium not only time to dry out from the hurricane rains but to also serve as a community station for relief supplies, something that will continue in this game, with a portion of proceeds from ticket sales going to relief efforts.

With the city returning to some semblance of normalcy, business, including on the soccer field, returns as well. The Dynamo haven't played since Aug. 23, the longest stretch between games in the league at the moment. Will they be rusty? Emotional from the devastation Harvey has caused? Or will they be inspired by the occasion, and take advantage of the opportunity to give locals an chance to have fun for a couple hours?

Into this situation steps the Colorado Rapids, winless in nine MLS matches and under interim head coach Steve Cooke. The Rapids are one of two teams in MLS (alongside the New England Revolution) that haven't won a road game in MLS play yet this season. Given the exceptional home form of the Dynamo and the fact that it's the first post-Harvey game, Saturday's match is going to be a tough test for Colorado. Still, with the tight margins in MLS, we know anything can happen from week to week, and perhaps it will be the Rapids' time to play spoiler.

Houston Dynamo

Suspended: None
International duty: None
Injury report: OUT: D George Malki (torn ACL), M Charlie Ward (leg)

Projected Starting XI (4-3-3, left to right): Tyler Deric – DaMarcus Beasley, Leonardo, Adolfo Machado, AJ DeLaGarza – Alex, Juan David Cabezas, Tomas Martinez – Romell Quioto, Erick "Cubo" Torres, Alberth Elis

Notes: Houston are one of three teams that is yet to lose a home game this year (Toronto and Sporting Kansas City). Houston are tied for third with nine wins at home this season.

Colorado Rapids

Suspended: None
International duty: None
Injury report: QUESTIONABLE: D - Bobby Burling (foot)

Projected Starting XI (4-4-2, left to right): Tim Howard – Eric Miller, Axel Sjoberg, Kortne Ford, Marlon Hairston – Shkelzen Gashi, Micheal Azira, Mohammed Saied, Stefan Aigner – Dillon Serna, Dominique Badji