:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/2109547/148408472.0.jpg)
On Saturday, October 26th, the Colorado Rapids will host the Houston Dynamo at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. Kickoff is expected at 7:00 MST and the match will be broadcast on Altitude. The Rapids will conclude the 2012 season with a chance to end the campaign on a high note with a victory against the Dynamo, an Eastern Conference foe.
Colorado (10-19-4) currently find themselves in 7th place in the Western Conference. Being four points behind FC Dallas, this is the highest that the Rapids could finish on the campaign. Given the fact that there are 19 clubs in Major League Soccer, there is no longer a balanced schedule. 2012 saw a conference-based schedule that featured only 10 games out of a 34 game season against Eastern Conference opponents.
Houston (14-8-11) are currently in 5th place in the Eastern Conference, but could find themselves finish higher if results go their way. The Dynamo have qualified for the playoffs and will look to build upon last season's runner-up finish as they fell to the LA Galaxy in the MLS Cup Final. Houston have won two MLS Cup titles and recently debuted their new BBVA Compass Arena in downtown Houston.
Heading into the offseason, the Colorado Rapids will fully assess the campaign and will start pondering important decisions going into 2013. One positive to note is the fan attendance has been up this season. The Rapids have averaged over 15,000 fans per game which is up from last season. Unfortunately, Pablo Mastroeni will not be making a late substitution to salute the fans, and perhaps end his career. Mastroeni has played for Colorado since 2002 and has made over 200 league appearances for the Rocky Mountain club. It is widely thought that Mastroeni, a veteran of the 2002 and 2006 World Cups for the United States, will retire after the match against Houston.