Game Preview: Colorado Rapids vs. Houston Dynamo

The Houston Dynamo are in town as the Colorado Rapids look to not only bounce back from the loss in Montreal, but an overall bad week. MLS drama can easily spill off the pitch and for the Rapids it’s been hard to shake all season. Houston hasn’t shown to do very well on the road posting a 1-4-3 record so far, and has an overall 3-8-3 record in colorful Colorado.

Training on Tuesday was focused on attack, counter attack, and wing play. It was different from a typical Tuesday training session. Houston is tied for 3^rd in the league with most goals scored with 36. They have a +10 goal differential (26 scored on them) which tells us that there can be goals scored. The Rapids have shown that they can come out and score fast, the key will be running Houston into the ground and hope we have altitude as a weapon.

The transfer window officially opened on the 10^th and the Rapids have made some moves already. Joe Mason went back to Wolverhampton and Giles Barnes comes in to fill his spot. Barnes has experience playing for Houston, with 76 caps in orange, scoring 22 goals and setting up 9. It’s hard to say if he will get playing time today, as it’s not often a recent Rapids signing will appear in the next gameday.

There is a sense of frustration that can swing into a positive result. The team seemed focused and driven to improve; they want to win just as bad as the fans want a win. Houston is inconsistent in form and struggles on the road; it’s time for the Rapids to break out of their shell and show us some killer instinct.

Predicted starting XI: Tim Howard, Kortne Ford, Axel Sjoberg, Tommy Smith, Marlon Hairston, Jack Price, Danny Wilson, Edgar Castillo, Johan Blomberg, Sam Nicholson, Yannick Boli

Injuries/Suspensions

Colorado

OUT: None

QUESTIONABLE: M - Marlon Hairston (undisclosed injury)

Suspended: None

Suspended after next caution: M- Johan Blomberg

Houston

OUT: A.J. DeLaGarza (torn left ACL), M - Juan David Cabezas (left quad injury), F - Mac Steeves (left hip injury), M/D - Andrew Wenger (left calf injury), M - Arturo Alvarez (right hip injury)

QUESTIONABLE: None

Suspended: None

Suspended after next caution: M - Tomas Martinez, F - Alberth Elis

How to Watch

Match Date/Time: Sunday, July 14th at 7 pm MST

Venue: Dicks Sporting Goods Park—Commerce City, CO

TV Information: AltitudeTV

Radio: Altitude950

Live Stream: ESPN+ (subscription required)

C38 Tailgate: 4pm start

Guest Player: Micheal Azira