It was a stalemate at BBVA Compass Stadium on Saturday night as the Houston Dynamo and Colorado Rapids struggled to generate chances in a 0-0 draw.
Quality scoring opportunities were few and far between as Colorado looked to play on the counter on the road. Houston moved the ball better than their opponents, but clear chances were muddied by a crowd of active Rapids defenders.
Rapids midfielder Marcelo Sarvas had the game’s first good chance in the 16th minute, putting his laces through the ball from just inside the box, but his chance was saved by Dynamo goalkeeper Tyler Deric. In the 31st minute Sarvas nearly turned a good combination between Juan Ramirez and Gabriel Torres into a goal, but Deric’s reaction was quick to stop the close shot.
The Brazilian’s two first-half attempts would prove the best looks the Rapids would generate all evening as Colorado’s goalless drought ran to 510 minutes. The Rapids became the first team in MLS history to start the season with three consecutive scoreless draws.
While the visitors' attack continued to sputter, their defense was organized and made things tough for the Dynamo to find the right combination in the final third.
Houston took 24 minutes to get a crack on goal and they had two come in quick succession. First, Rob Lovejoy hit a hard shot into a crowd off a corner, but his teammate Will Bruin was there to block the rookie’s attempt. A minute later Dynamo captain Brad Davis curled one into Clint Irwin’s waiting hands.
The second half fell into a lull after a few charging runs by the Dynamo after the intermission.
The Rapids got a quality chance in the 68th minute when Torres set up Sam Cronin in stride as the veteran was running into the box. His shot failed to find the target, keeping the game scoreless.
Second-half substitute Zach Steinberger found the ball just outside the box in the 88th minute as Houston pushed numbers forward. The rookie, making his debut, fired his shot wide of goal which all but sealed the goalless night.
Houston played the game without internationals Jermaine Taylor and Giles Barnes – both are with the Jamaican national team – and Hondurans Luis Garrido and Boniek García. The Rapids were without the services of US Under-23 defender Shane O'Neill.
Houston will travel to take on the Seattle Sounders Saturday (9 pm CT, ROOT SPORTS), while Colorado returns home to host the New England Revolution Saturday night.
Houston Dynamo (1-1-2; 5 points) vs. Colorado Rapids (0-0-3; 3 points)
MLS regular season
March 28, 2015 – BBVA Compass Stadium, Houston, Texas
Attendance: 19,603
Scoring Summary
None.
Houston Dynamo: Tyler Deric; Kofi Sarkodie, David Horst, Raúl Rodríguez, DaMarcus Beasley; Leonel Miranda (Chandler Hoffman 83), Ricardo Clark (Zach Steinberger 69), Nathan Sturgis, Brad Davis ©, Rob Lovejoy (Alexander López 59); Will Bruin
Substitutes Not Used: Joe Willis, AJ Cochran, Corey Ashe, Jason Johnson
Colorado Rapids: Clint Irwin; Michael Harrington, Jared Watts, Bobby Burling, Marc Burch; Lucas Pittinari, Sam Cronin; Dillon Powers (Vicente Sánchez 83), Marcelo Sarvas ©, Juan Ramírez (Dominique Badji 77), Gabriel Torres
Substitutes Not Used: James Riley, Ben Newnam, Zac MacMath, Dillon Serna, Nick LaBrocca
Disciplinary Summary
HOU: Ricardo Clark (caution) 43
HOU: Alexander López (caution) 68
HOU: Kofi Sarkodie (caution) 84
Referee: Marcos de Oliveira
Assistant Referees: Kermit Quisenberry, Kyle Atkins
Fourth Official: Juan Guzman
