Colorado Rapids-Houston Dynamo Preview: Five Questions With Bayou City Soccer

PREVIEW – Burgundy Wave reached out to our fellow former SB Nation colleagues, Bayou City Soccer ahead of Colorado Rapids home game against Houston Dynamo this weekend.

Formerly Dynamo Theory, they cover soccer in Houston. BW asked five questions to help preview Saturday’s match against Ben Olsen and company. Thank you Managing Editor Dustyn Richardson for taking the time. Check out Bayou City Soccer here.

BW: The Dynamo got their first league win of the year last Saturday. What was different about that game against the Portland Timbers? No Concacaf Champions Cup hangover, yeah? 

Being knocked out of CCC is a bit of a blessing in disguise. Ben Olsen has talked about how fatigued the players are to begin the season and they’re already short-handed with injuries. Saturday’s win was a bit of getting back to what made them successful last year. They controlled the midfield and held possession then capitalized on their one big chance of the match. It worked a lot last year, along with their defense making some big plays in key moments, so we’ll see if they can get that trend going again this season.

BW: Houston’s got some injuries to start the year. Any chance Hector Herrera’s back for this game? What’s the team been doing to cope with his absence and others? 

The last we heard an update on Herrera, GM Pat Onstad said it would be a couple of months until he is back playing meaningful minutes, so he definitely won’t play in this game. He’s a big loss for the Dynamo as he was their linchpin in 2023 and was an MLS Best XI selection. Coco Carrasquilla has had to take the reins of the midfield and he’s done a great job. Coco isn’t the same player as Hector but he’s extremely talented and has the ability to control a game.

MLS veteran Jan Gregus has stepped into the midfield as well and, along with Artur, helped bring a calming presence on the ball and defensively. U22 winger Nelson Quinones is out for the season and replacing him has been tougher. Fellow U22 signing Aliyu Ibrahim has stepped in as a kind of left wing/striker and done well this season. That has left the center forward position as a gaping hole for the Dynamo but DP striker Sebas Ferreira is supposed to return from injury for this match.

BW: The Dynamo were one of the stories of the season last year. Ben Olsen’s redemption tour. HH and the kids cooking. Winning the Open Cup. It’s still early in 2024, but any concern about a sophomore slump for Olsen and company? 

There’s definitely causes for concern. We saw just down the road what happened to Austin last season after their trip to the Western Conference Final in 2022. The injuries have already started to wreak some havoc and the Dynamo will be the only American team playing in all competitions since they are defending their USOC title.

A lot of Dynamo fans are waiting for another attacker to be signed and there have been rumblings that it should happen soon. In the meantime, the thought is basically to stay afloat until Hector can return in summer and then make a run with him and hopefully a new DP.

BW: Rapids fans love seeing a Colorado native do well. What can fans expect from Griffin Dorsey in this game? 

Dorsey is beloved here in Houston. I got the chance to speak to him Saturday about returning to Colorado and you could see how much it means to him to play there in front of his family and friends. Dorsey is a big key in what the Dynamo do offensively, especially with Herrera and Quinones out. He is a right back on paper but he is constantly attacking and plays as a winger or forward most of the game. He hasn’t had the impact yet that he did last season but if he can have a big game on Saturday in front of his home crowd, the Dynamo should do well.

BW: Lastly, got a prediction for this game?

The Dynamo have been a poor road team for what seems like forever. However, they’ve gotten draws in Colorado the last two seasons. I think if they come out defensively and continue minimizing mistakes they can leave with a point so I’ll say 1-1 for a prediction.

Betting Odds:

Sportsbooks in Colorado have this one pretty even. FanDuel has Colorado +115, but a draw is only +230 and a Houston win is +220. Does Vegas know something? Is this going to be a tight one? We’ll find out tomorrow?

Photo Credit: John Babiak

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