Houston Dynamo will be looking to secure back-to-back MLS home wins for the first time since October when they play host to Colorado Rapids at the Shell Energy Stadium on Saturday night.
Having failed to win any of the last seven meetings between the two teams, the Rapids will head into the weekend looking to get one over the hosts and secure their third win in four games on the road since the start of March.
Match preview
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Houston Dynamo were denied consecutive wins for the first time in the new MLS campaign as they were held to a somewhat disappointing 1-1 draw by 10-man LA Galaxy at the Dignity Health Sports Park last Sunday.
After taking the lead in the 14th minute through Ezequiel Ponce, Zanka picked up a straight red in the 28th minute to hand the visitors a numerical advantage, but Uruguayan forward Diego Fagundez struck in the 57th minute to help LA Galaxy salvage a hard-earned point.
Before that, Houston Dynamo secured their first win of the league campaign on April 6, when they held their own to see out Los Angeles FC 1-0 courtesy of a second-half strike from Jack McGlynn.
Ben Olsen's men have picked up six points from their first 24 available to sit 13th in the Western Conference standings, only above rock-bottom LA Galaxy and 14th-placed Sporting Kansas City.
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Colorado Rapids, on the other hand, picked up back-to-back home wins for the first time this season as they edged out San Diego FC 3-2 when the two sides met at the Dick's Sporting Goods Park last Sunday.
Luca De La Torre struck in the 49th minute to cancel out Dorde Mihailovic's first-half strike, but Darren Yapi and Rafael Navarro netted twice in a seven-minute spell to put the hosts in a comfortable position before Tomas Angel halved the deficit in the 89th minute.
With that result, Colorado Rapids are unbeaten in six of their opening eight league games, picking up four wins and two draws so far to collect 14 points and sit fifth in the West, level on points with Portland Timbers and San Diego.
While Chris Armas's men will be looking to continue from where they left off against San Diego, next up is the stern challenge of facing an opposing side whom they have failed to get the better of in their last seven meetings, including three defeats from their most recent three encounters.
Results on the road also offer little optimism heading into this weekend's clash as Colorado Rapids have managed just two wins from their last eight MLS away matches since the first week of September.
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Team News
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Houston Dynamo will have to cope without several players down the spine of the team as the American trio of Duane Holmes, Jimmy Maurer and Ethan Bartlow continue their spells on the sidelines.
Lawrence Ennali has also been ruled out since picking up a cruciate ligament tear back in September while experienced goalkeeper Andrew Tarbell has been out of action since coming off injured in March's game against Houston Dynamo.
Brazilian midfielder Junior Urso missed the game against LA Galaxy last time out through injury and the 36-year-old is also a major doubt for this weekend's matchup.
As for Colorado Rapids, Adam Beaudry has missed the last two games through an ankle injury and the 18-year-old goalkeeper is ruled out of the trip to the Shell Energy Stadium.
He is joined on the club's injury table by the duo of Connor Ronan and Ali Fadal, who are currently recuperating from an abdominal strain and knee problems respectively.
Houston Dynamo possible starting lineup:
Gillingham; Dorsey, Sviatchenko, Awodesu, Escobar; Artur, Raines; McGlynn, Bassi, Kowalczyk; Ponce
Colorado Rapids possible starting lineup:
Steffen; Cannon, Maxsoe, Awaziem, Vines; Larraz, Atencio; Yapi, Bassett, Mihailovic; Navarro
We say: Houston Dynamo 2-2 Colorado Rapids
Houston Dynamo have endured a stuttering start to the new league campaign and will head into the weekend in search of a spirit-lifting victory. However, Colorado Rapids have been tough to crack this season and we predict that they will do just enough to force a share of the spoils.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joshua Ojele
