Houston Dynamo vs. Colorado Rapids | 2018 MLS Match Preview

Dylan Butler

Houston Dynamo vs. Colorado Rapids
2018 MLS Regular Season – Week 15
BBVA Compass Stadium - Houston
June 9 – 9 pm ET
WATCH: ESPN+, MLS LIVE on DAZN (Canada)

The Houston Dynamo have lost back-to-back games for the first time this season and are hoping a home game against the Colorado Rapids can be their remedy, especially since the Raids have dropped seven straight games.

However, Colorado have lost just one of their last 15 games against Houston (9W-5D), outscoring them 26-12 in the process, per Opta.

Houston Dynamo

The 3-1 victory over NYCFC should have been galvanizing for Houston (5-5-3), but instead the Dynamo suffered consecutive road defeats, including 1-0 to the Montreal Impact on Saturday.

Houston, though, bounced back in the midweek, bashing amateur side NTX Rayados, 5-0, in the Fourth Round of the U.S. Open Cup at BBVA Compass Stadium. After a scoreless first half, Memo Rodriguez and Aldo Quintanilla each struck for a brace and Matias Zaldivar added a late goal.

“Each game that we play at home is critical for us, so for us today the game was really important, U.S. Open Cup, but at home,” Wilmer Cabrera said. “At home we have to be solid and we cannot go just play for fun. That’s not the way we are.”

Suspended: None
Suspended after next caution: M - Tomas Martinez, F - Alberth Elis
International duty: D - Adolfo Machado
Injury Report: OUT: A.J. DeLaGarza (torn left ACL), D - George Malki (left knee sprain), D - Dylan Remick (concussion), D - Jared Watts (concussion), M - Darwin Ceren (leg injury), M - Juan David Cabezas (left quad injury); QUESTIONABLE: D - Philippe Senderos (right hamstring injury)

Projected Starting XI
(4-2-3-1, right to left)
GK: Joe Willis — Adam Lundqvist, Kevin Garcia, Leonardo, DaMarcus Beasley — Oscar Boniek Garcia, Eric Alexander — Alberth Elis, Tomas Martinez, Romell Quioto — Mauro Manotas

Notes: Four of Romell Quioto’s six assists have come at BBVA Compass Stadium. Only six players have more assists in home matches this season. … Houston have won three straight games at home, scoring 3+ goals in all three matches – a franchise record.

Colorado Rapids

It’s now five one-goal defeats in a seven-match losing streak for the Colorado Rapids (2-8-2), who fell at home to Vancouver Whitecaps FC, 2-1, on Saturday. Edgar Castillo scored for the Rapids, but it came after Cristian Techera and Yordy Reyna put the Whitecaps in front, 2-0.

On Wednesday, Colorado was knocked out of the U.S. Open Cup at first asking, losing, 2-0, to Nashville SC of the USL.

“We’re on a difficult run and there’s a lack of confidence certainly with certain players,” Anthony Hudson said. “When that happens and you’re on a run like this and there’s a lack of confidence, you become a little bit safe in possession, you’re not as positive and brave. I think some of our lads are just suffering a bit in terms of that.”

Suspended: F - Dominique Badji
Suspended after next caution: None
International duty: None
Injury Report: OUT: D - Kortne Ford (left MCL sprain); QUESTIONABLE: D - Marlon Hairston (right knee surgery), D - Axel Sjoberg (concussion)

Projected Starting XI
(3-5-2, right to left)
GK: Tim Howard — Deklan Wynne, Danny Wilson, Tommy Smith — Sam Nicholson, Enzo Martinez, Johan Blomberg, Jack Price, Edgar Castillo — Yannick Boli, Shkëlzen Gashi

Notes: Dominique Badji now has three games over the last two seasons with 5+ shots. No active teammate has more than one in that time. … Colorado have tied a franchise record by losing seven consecutive matches in MLS play, having been outscored 17-5 in the process. Additionally, they have earned a result in just four of their last 23 league road games (1W-19L-3D).

All-Time Series

Overall: Houston Dynamo 8 wins, 32 goals … Colorado Rapids 11 wins, 37 goals … 7 draws
At Houston: Dynamo 5 wins, 22 goals … Rapids 3 wins, 13 goals … 4 draws
Last meeting at Houston: Houston Dynamo 0, Colorado Rapids 1 (Sept. 9, 2017)