Vines(is)Back, Another Former Player Returns- Colorado Rapids vs Houston Dynamo Preview

Commerce City, CO– For the third match in a row, the Colorado Rapids (3-0-3, 8th West) will play against a player they parted ways with within the last year. It was Calvin Harris with Sporting KC; he got an assist in the Rapids’ 4-1 win. Djordje Mihailovic didn’t play when Colorado lost 3-2 to Toronto. It is now Rapids homegrown left back Sam Vines, who makes his return to Dick’s Sporting Goods Park with the Houston Dynamo (2-0-3, 10th West), having signed with them recently after being waived by the Rapids earlier this season. 

Colorado is making a habit of facing recent departures, with Cole Bassett playing against the Rapids for the first time since his controversial move just five games ago. 50% of Rapids games so far have been against teams with recent Rapids departures, and soon to be over 57%. Colorado has two wins and a loss in those games. The Rapids will look to make it 3-1 against Houston. Let’s take a look at the matchup.

When: Saturday, April 11th @ 7:30 p.m. MST

Where: Dick’s Sporting Goods Park

TV/Streaming: Apple TV

Nightmare Day in Toronto

It was a great match for the neutral, but for Colorado, it was a game to forget. Two critical errors from Zack Steffen, two red cards, and a two-goal lead lost after Toronto scored three unanswered. It looked to be a mountain to climb after Jackson Travis got a red card 35 minutes in. It would have been very impressive for Colorado to get anything from the game at that point. But then the second half started, and Raheem Edwards also got his marching orders. Colorado capitalized with two quick goals. All looked well. The Rapids looked to be a good team in the first hour of the game. Even down a man, Colorado was good on the ball, and while it didn’t lead to much, they had control. This control ceased as soon as the rapids went up two goals.

Toronto was unlucky not to score before their first, but were quite lucky to score the three they did. It was a Zack Steffen meltdown. The first goal cannot happen. Steffen cannot be beaten at the near post, even with the cross/shot being a tricky one to deal with. The second goal is inexcusable. No pressure, no need to try and control the ball like that. Steffen didn’t feel like he was in the USMNT picture before; he certainly isn’t now. Matt Wells also must share some blame, as he subbed on a defensive set piece, the same set piece that Toronto found the game-winner on. It wasn’t a smart move, but a young head coach will learn from it. 

Colorado did not look good in the last 30 minutes. Possession was hard to come by. The goals felt like they were going to come for Toronto, and they did. Say what you will about the Miguel Navarro red card, but the Rapids didn’t deserve to come out of Toronto victorious with that performance. It is a concern that Colorado seemed to turn off after going up two goals. It is uncharacteristic of a Wells-led team. Improvements to be made and work to be done for Colorado and Matt Wells after this one. And maybe time for Nico Hansen.

Lineup Prediction:

Steffen / Rosenberry (c), Herrington, Holding, Thompson / Frederick, Ojediran, Aaronson / Yapi, Navarro, Manyoma

News came out of the Rapids camp today about Ted Ku-DiPietro undergoing a successful shoulder surgery. He will be out for at least five months. It’s another big blow for Ku-DiPietro, and it’s another shoulder injury that will keep him off the field. Reggie Cannon and Connor Ronan are still out. Jackson Travis and Miguel Navarro will be suspended.

Colorado has an interesting problem after both natural left-backs got sent off against Toronto. The Rapids would be out of left backs and have three outside backs unavailable against Houston. Fitting that Colorado would have an outside back shortage when they face Vines. 

This leaves Colorado with two natural options at outside back, neither of whom is a natural left back, however. Keegan Rosenberry is the obvious start. He filled in when Travis got his marching orders, and while he was shaky defensively, we got his annual banger against Toronto. Kosi Thompson was brought in with the thought of filling in for the injured Reggie Cannon. It is a bit puzzling now, knowing that Cannon avoided serious injury and is week-to-week. It might pay off now, as he might be forced to make his first start in Colorado in less than a week since getting his Visa and joining the team.

If Wells doesn’t want to throw Thompson to the wolves this early, we could see a Rapids 2 kid get a call-up: Jabari De Coteau, James Cameron, or Jaden Chan Tack. Ian Murphy might also have a chance to play out wide, but it would be a bit surprising to see. 

Colorado Kid Homecoming Part 2

In just the seventh game of the season, Colorado will face a second homegrown player they parted ways with this past offseason. This time, it is Sam Vines, who makes his return to Colorado for the first time since being waived by Colorado. 

It just didn’t work out for Vines after making his return to Colorado in 2024 after leaving for Royal Antwerp in Belgium in 2021. He didn’t get to play in the Vinesback role that he had under Robin Fraser once Chris Armas took over. He never looked the same under Armas. There was hope that Matt Wells would be able to get the most out of Vines, given the style of play Wells wants his outside backs to play. Vines never got the chance and was waived by Colorado, who instead went with a left-back group of Jackson Travis and Miguel Navarro. Both have been good (and cheaper), despite the unfortunate timing of their suspensions. 

Getting waived is never a good feeling for a player. Even with Colorado actively being involved in making sure Sam Vines found a new team, Vinesy will certainly have a chip on his shoulder if he gets into the game. He has only played one minute since making his move to Houston. Whether this is due to his role in Houston or his lack of familiarity with the team, he could very well not see the field in his return to Dicks’s Sporting Goods Park. 

Guilherme Augusto Show in Houston

While the acquisition of Sam Vines may be the most important Houston addition for Rapids fans, it has been Guilherme Augusto who has been the star acquisition for Houston so far. The Texas side has scored eight goals in their first five games, and Guilherme has played a key role in seven of those eight goals. He has four goals and three assists on the year, and he is the man to stop for Colorado.

The other key addition was former LAFC winger Mateusz Bogusz, who always seemed to have a good game against the Rapids. He hasn’t had the same impact that Guilherme has had yet, but he is a dangerous player who elevates this Houston side. Despite the production from Guilherme and the addition of Mateusz Bogusz, Houston has lost three of their last five, and were two late comebacks away from going unless in five. It took until the 15th minute of added time for Houston to find the winner against Portland. 

Despite this, Houston is a dangerous side. They built on what they had last year, which was much needed. The additions that they have had give this team a different edge than last year. Houston might have found their guy in Guilherme, and will play a good game in Colorado. This is a crucial matchup for potential playoff seeding. It would not be shocking to be in and around Houston at the end of the season.

Prediction: Colorado is able to keep Guilherme off the scoresheet and get all three points against Houston. Colorado wins 2-0.

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