Dynamo head for the Rockies for meeting with Rapids: What to watch for
(image via Aldo Canale)
The Houston Dynamo are on the road for the first time in MLS regular season play to take on the Colorado Rapids tonight. Houston picked up its first win of the season last Saturday, beating the Portland Timbers 1-0 at Shell Energy Stadium. Colorado is coming off a 1-1 draw on the road against the Seattle Sounders this past weekend.
When: Saturday, March 23 | 8:40 PM CT kickoff
Where: Dick’s Sporting Goods Park; Commerce City, Colorado
TV/Stream: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
Radio: TUDN Deportes Houston 93.3 FM (Spanish)
On the road again
The Dynamo played on the road against St. Louis and Columbus in Concacaf Champions Cup play but this will be their first road match in league play. The Dynamo have struggled for what seems like forever on the road. Colorado is one of the tougher road venues in MLS because of the altitude and players’ bodies having to adjust to it quickly. Houston picked up a point last season in Colorado right before the Leagues Cup break so this team has at least tasted some success at DSG Park. Can 2024 finally be the year the Dynamo start picking up points on the road?
Seback?
Houston has continued to struggle scoring goals, picking up one last week on an Aliyu Ibrahim tally after a mistake by the Portland defense. Help could be on the way as Sebastian Ferreria looks ready to return to action after injuring his hamstring in the first Champions Cup game against St. Louis. The Dynamo could desperately use the Ferreira of 2022 who burst on the scene in MLS with double-digit goals in his first season in orange. Sebas may not be ready to start just yet but he could come in off the bench and provide a second half spark. If Ferreira is healthy, bought in, and in good form as Ben Olsen has said he was this preseason, his addition back into the lineup should be a huge boost for the Dynamo.
Midfield mismatch?
After finishing at the bottom of the Western Conference, the Colorado Rapids went through a rebuild this offseason, similar to what we saw from the Dynamo after 2022. Chris Armas is Colorado’s new head coach and they’ve brought in a number of new players. Their midfield is key with Djordje Mihailovic and Cole Bassett at the forefront. Olsen spoke in his weekly press conference about how both players can be dangerous and that the Dynamo will have to be aware of them at all times. With Hector Herrera still injured and Coco Carrasquilla unavailable tonight, the Rapids midfield could have a big advantage in this match. It will be up to the likes of Jan Gregus and perhaps new signing Latif Blessing to make sure the Dynamo don’t miss a beat.
Houston Dynamo – Out: Hector Herrera (knee), Nelson Quinones (knee), Adalberto Carrasquilla (international duty); Questionable: Erik Sviatchenko (hamstring), Sebastian Ferreira (hamstring), Amine Bassi (hamstring)
Colorado Rapids – Out: Daniel Chacon (knee), Connor Ronan (knee), Moise Bombito (international duty); Questionable: Jasper Loffelsend (hamstring)
Predicted Lineup
