Playoff Push in the Rockies: Houston Dynamo Visit Colorado Rapids in Crucial Clash
(image via Houston Dynamo FC)
The Houston Dynamo are in the Rockies tonight for a crucial showdown with the Colorado Rapids. Both teams are battling for a playoff spot in the Western Conference and three points in this match could give one side a leg up. Houston is coming off conceding a crushing stoppage time equalizer that gave them just one point in their last match. Colorado last 4-2 to Sporting Kansas City in their last match two weeks ago.
When: Saturday, September 13 | 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 93.3 FM
Points at a Premium
It feels like we say this every week but three points are needed tonight. It’s not do-or-die yet but losing tonight to Colorado would be a big six-point swing. The Dynamo have little room for error and that starts with a tough visit to the Mile High air of Colorado. The Dynamo’s last visit to Colorado ended with a Houston win after Brad Smith scored in stoppage time to give the Dynamo all three points. A repeat of that performance would be huge tonight.
The Boys Are Back
Midfielders Jack McGlynn and Brooklyn Raines are back from international duty after missing last week’s draw against the LA Galaxy. Raines has become a key starter for this team and we know how valuable McGlynn is to how the Dynamo play and what they do offensively. This should be a big boost to the Houston lineup. New signings Diade Samassekou, Damion Lowe, and Sergio Santos should also be available for selection, giving Houston multiple options for the starting eleven and off the bench.
A New Rapid
The Colorado Rapids surprisingly sold DP playmaker Djordje Mihailovic in the summer window and then shocked Major League Soccer when they brought in young American Paxten Aaronson to fill that role. Aaronson came up through the Philadelphia Union academy before moving to Europe. He’s now back in MLS, and at 22 years old, has something to prove. Aaronson and McGlynn on the same field, two young USMNT players who used to play for Philadelphia, should be worth the price of admission.
Houston Dynamo FC – Out: Ethan Bartlow (head), Franco Escobar (illness), Nelson Quinones (lower body), Andrew Tarbell (knee); Questionable: Sergio Santos (lower body), Erik Sviatchenko (lower body)
Colorado Rapids – Out: Josh Atencio (knee), Kimani Stewart-Baynes (ankle)
Predicted Lineup
