MATCH PREVIEW: Houston Dynamo FC hosts Colorado Rapids to wrap up May

HOUSTON (May 28, 2024) – Houston Dynamo FC will host the Colorado Rapids on Wednesday, May 29, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT at Shell Energy Stadium. Houston beat Colorado earlier this season thanks to a late stoppage-time goal from defender Brad Smith. Tickets for the match are available HERE.

Houston enters Wednesday’s game ranked eighth in the Western Conference with a 5-6-3 record (WLD) and 18 points. The Dynamo will look to bounce back from a 2-1 road loss to the LA Galaxy on Saturday. The match saw midfielder Latif Blessing score his first league goal for Houston in the 18th minute in what was his 200th MLS appearance. However, Los Angeles’ goals in the 44th and 59th minutes ensured the home side took all three points.

Midfielder Jefferson Valverde made his Dynamo debut in the 78th minute at the Galaxy. Houston signed the defensive midfielder in a full transfer from LDU Quito in the Ecuadorian First Division in late April. Last season, Valverde helped LDU Quito win their 12th league title and second CONMEBOL Copa Sudamericana title.

Captain Héctor Herrera notably played his first full 90-minute match of the season on Saturday. The Mexico international has surpassed 350 minutes played in seven matches this season as he returns from a knee injury that kept him sidelined for the start of the season.

Additionally, goalkeeper Andrew Tarbell made his first MLS start on Saturday since Houston’s last trip to the LA Galaxy in September 2023 when he helped the team earn a scoreless draw and Houston’s 12th clean sheet of the season. The veteran goalkeeper is currently playing as a replacement for Steve Clark, who suffered a facial injury earlier this month against FC Dallas.

Houston continues to boast one of the best defensive records so far this season, despite a revamped backline that has seen seven players start due to injuries. The team has allowed just 15 goals in 14 matches this season, which is the fewest in the Western Conference and tied for third most in MLS. Additionally, Houston leads the Western Conference with 58.1% possession over the entire season, allowing the Dynamo to control games and dictate the pace of play.

Colorado enters Wednesday’s game ranked sixth in the Western Conference with a 6-5-4 record (WLD) and 22 points. The Rapids are coming off a 3-3 home draw against Minnesota United FC after facing a 3-1 halftime deficit. A double from Kévin Cabral and a goal from Rafael Navarro were enough to allow the locals to share the points.

Houston and Colorado met at DICK’s Sporting Goods Park in late March when the Dynamo earned a 1-0 victory thanks to a goal from defender Brad Smith in the final minute of injury time. Goalkeeper Steve Clark also made three saves to mark his second consecutive clean sheet at the time.

Dynamo hold a record of 7-6-6 (WLD) against the Rapids at Shell Energy Stadium and will look to add a tally to the win column on Wednesday. In the last match in Houston in October last season, Dynamo beat the Rapids 5-1 thanks to goals from Nelson Quiñónes (double), Amine Bassi, Corey Baird and Artur.

Ahead of the June international break, Dynamo will face Portland Timbers FC on Saturday, June 1, with kickoff scheduled for 9:30 p.m. CT. Houston beat Portland 1-0 at home earlier this season.