Colorado Rapids vs Houston Dynamo Preview: Dustyn Richardson From Bayou City Soccer

Commerce City, Colo.- Colorado Rapids play Houston Dynamo this weekend. We spoke to Dustyn Richardson from Bayou City Soccer. Check out us answering questions for them about the Pids here.

Burgundy Wave: Last week was a disappointing 0-1 loss vs Seattle Sounders. Other than giving up a late goal, what didn’t go well in that game? What does Houston need to do better this week? 

Dustyn Richardson: They need to finish better. It seems simple but the Dynamo finished with 13 shots and 34 touches in the opposition box against Seattle but couldn’t score. They’ve got the offensive weapons to score goals, as we’ve seen earlier this season, but they just couldn’t break down the wall against the Sounders last week. If Jack McGlynn is out again, look for the Dynamo to try and get Brazilian DP Guilherme on the ball as much as possible.

BW: I mentioned to you the Rapids are really thin at fullback. Guiherme has 7 goal contributions in 5 games. Mate Bogusz terrorized Colorado when he played for LAFC. What have those two done well? How would you limit them? 

DR: Guilherme has been a revelation since joining this offseason. There were a lot of question marks about how good he could be but he has started the season red hot. Bogusz, who was the other DP addition this offseason, started a little slower but seems to be getting more and more comfortable each week. They’re both very good at getting on the ball 20-30 yards from goal and driving around and into the box to create. I think the Rapids will need to limit the space they have in those dangerous areas and try and cut them off from getting the ball from the Dynamo midfield and wing backs.

Speaking of full back irony, this game sees Sam Vines return to Colorado. He made his debut last week. What have you seen so far from Vines? What are expectations for him other than being a substitute left back? 

DR: Vines’ signing made a lot of sense for this Dynamo team. They have switched to a system with wing backs this season and with the trade of Griffin Dorsey right before the season, Houston has no natural wing backs on the roster. Duane Holmes and Lawrence Ennali have been the primary wing backs so far this season and Vines now gives them another option of a player with experience playing there and in MLS. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Vines get some looks in the starting lineup in place of Ennali, especially when the Dynamo want to be more defensive.

BW: Ben Olsen is in year four. Missed the playoffs last season but had a good transfer window if you ask me. What are expectations for this season? Are Olsen and Pat Onstad in trouble if the team doesn’t win a playoff game? 

DR: After the offseason the Dynamo had, making the playoffs is a minimum for this team. Onstad, Olsen, and everyone we talked to has said as much. They have set a goal of having a home playoff game. That feels like a lofty goal but this team has shown some flashes early on. I think there are a lot of fans who have gotten frustrated with both Olsen and Onstad but I just don’t see them moving on from them, unless this season turns into a real disaster.

BW: Jack McGlynn was listed as questionable the last two weeks and missed the game. Do you think he’ll play this week? What’s the midfield good and bad at without him? 

DR: We haven’t heard much about McGlynn this week. The Dynamo keep things pretty close to the vest with injuries. McGlynn is playing deeper in midfield this season but he still creates so many chances. He’s also a major weapon on set pieces. Without him, they have to rely on Guilherme and Bogusz as the only creators as they don’t have another player like McGlynn on the roster. If he doesn’t play, they’ll likely go more defensive in midfield with either Agustin Bouzat, Diadie Samassekou, or even Hector Herrera getting a start. 

BW: Jonathan Bond had two eventful games against the Rapids last year. Made his Dynamo debut at home. Then was a part of that wild game at DICK’s where his buddy Rob Holding nearly scored the winner. That Dallas game notwithstanding, how’s he doing leading the defense? 

DR: Bond has been solid. His underlying numbers the last two seasons have been quite bad, but Olsen has a lot of trust in him. He seems to come up with big saves when needed, and that outweighs a lot of his other issues, at least in the coaching staff’s eyes. The interesting thing is that the Dynamo have a number of young goalkeeper options behind Bond, waiting in the wings.

Pedro Cruz was a finalist for MLS NEXT Pro Goalkeeper of the Year last season and won Goalkeeper of the Month already this season. They also signed Logan Erb as a Homegrown this offseason and have youngster Blake Gillingham who got some starts last season. It will be interesting to see how Bond progresses this season and if at any point the Dynamo make a change.

BW: Lastly, we’re now doing NWSL coverage. You all have covered the Dash for awhile. What’d you make of the Yazmeen Ryan and Delanie Sheehan trade to Summit?

DR: After the Dash won the first match of the season in San Diego with Ryan and Sheehan both on the bench, there seemed to be something in the works. Head coach Fabrice Gautrat has gone with a young lineup this season, starting rookies Kat Rader and Linda Ullmark in positions that Ryan and Sheehan played last season. With that shift to a younger team, and with the contracts Ryan and Sheehan are on, it made sense to move them if they could get value. So far, it has worked out with the Dash winning 3 of their first 4 matches this season. 

Read More: Colorado Rapids “Reimagine” Crest and Club Branding With One Club, One Legacy.

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