HOUSTON (May 28, 2024) – Houston Dynamo FC host the Colorado Rapids on Wednesday, May 29, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT at Shell Energy Stadium. Houston defeated Colorado earlier this season with a late stoppage time goal from defender Brad Smith. Tickets for the match are available HERE.
Dynamo head coach Ben Olsen will serve a one-match suspension on Wednesday for yellow card accumulation.
Houston enters Wednesday’s match eighth in the Western Conference with a 5-6-3 (WLD) record and 18 points. The Dynamo will look to bounce back from a 2-1 road loss at 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, goals from Los Angeles in the 44th and 59th minutes saw the home side take all three points.
Midfielder Jefferson Valverde made his Dynamo debut in the 78th minute at the Galaxy. Houston signed the defensive midfielder on a full transfer from LDU Quito in Ecuador’s top division in late April. Last season, Valverde helped LDU Quito to its 12th league title and second CONMEBOL Copa Sudamericana title.
Notably, captain Héctor Herrera played his first full 90-minute match of the season on Saturday. The Mexican international surpassed 350 minutes of play over seven matches this season as he returns from a knee injury that sidelined him 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 in relief of Steve Clark, who picked up a face injury earlier this month versus FC Dallas.
Houston continues to boast one of the best defensive records so far this season, despite a shuffling back line that has seen seven players start due to injuries. The team has allowed just 15 goals across 14 matches this season, which is the fewest in the Western Conference and tied for the third fewest across MLS. Additionally, Houston leads the Western Conference with 58.1 percent possession across the season, allowing the Dynamo to control matches and dictate pace of play.
Colorado enters Wednesday’s match sixth in the Western Conference with a 6-5-4 (WLD) record and 22 points. The Rapids are coming off a 3-3 home draw versus Minnesota United FC after facing a 3-1 deficit at halftime. A brace from Kévin Cabral and a Rafael Navarro goal were enough to see the home side split points.
Houston and Colorado met at DICK’s Sporting Goods Park in late March when the Dynamo earned a 1-0 victory with a goal from defender Brad Smith in the final minute of stoppage time. Goalkeeper Steve Clark also made three saves to tally his second consecutive clean sheet at the time.
The Dynamo hold a 7-6-6 (WLD) record over the Rapids at Shell Energy Stadium and will look to add a tally to the win column on Wednesday. In the most recent matchup in Houston in October last season, the Dynamo defeated the Rapids 5-1 with goals from Nelson Quiñónes (brace), Amine Bassi, Corey Baird and Artur.
Before the June international break, the Dynamo travel to face Portland Timbers FC on Saturday, June 1, with kickoff scheduled for 9:30 p.m. CT. Houston defeated Portland 1-0 at home earlier this season.
