The Houston Dynamo close the 2020 MLS regular season on Sunday against the Colorado Rapids. The Dynamo aim to snap a six-game winless streak on Sunday and claim the regular season series against the Rapids after the 1-1 draw on Sept. 9.
Houston was eliminated from the 2020 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs last Saturday after a 3-0 loss to FC Dallas on the road. The Dynamo enter Decision Day with a 4-9-9 record and look to bounce back after their fifth scoreless match of the season. Dynamo midfielder Matias Vera will be available for selection on Sunday after serving a one-game suspension for a red card in Houston’s 2-1 loss at LAFC on Oct. 28.
Houston will look to earn their fifth victory of the season on Sunday and prevent the Rapids from a potential postseason game at home. Houston and Colorado split points in their first meeting of the regular season, a 1-1 draw at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on Sept. 9. Christian Ramirez scored for the Dynamo and the forward is one game away from earning 100 appearances in MLS. The Dynamo trail in the all-time series against Colorado with a 10-11-10 record.
Colorado enter Sunday’s game with back-to-back victories, both over teams that qualified for the postseason. The Dynamo backline will be tasked with containing Cole Bassett who leads the team with five goals and four assists. Jonathan Lewis and Andre Shinyashiki will also pose a threat and have combined for nine goals and one assist.
<strong>WHO:</strong> |
<p>Houston Dynamo vs. Colorado Rapids </p> |
<strong>WHEN:</strong> |
<p>Sunday, Nov. 8 – 5:30 p.m. CDT</p> |
<strong>TV:</strong> |
<p>QuestTexas ch. 55 (Glenn Davis, Eddie Robinson, Cindy Burbano) </p> |
<strong>RADIO:</strong> |
<p><strong>Spanish</strong>: TUDN Radio Houston 1010 AM (Daniel Mejia and Lester Gretsch)</p> |
Here are three key points ahead of Sunday’s game:
- DYNAMO LOOK TO 2021: Houston will shift its focus to the offseason following Sunday’s regular season finale. The Dynamo will enter the offseason with a variety of roster decisions prior to the 2021 MLS regular season. The Dynamo offseason agenda includes a trade window following a 10-week roster freeze, an expansion draft, free agency, end-of-year waivers and traditional re-entry process. Dates and additional information will follow Sunday’s game.
- YEAR ONE IS IN THE BOOKS: Tab Ramos closes his first season as the head coach of the Dynamo on Sunday. The Dynamo finished as one of the most attacking teams in 2021 with 232 chances created in the regular season, the second most in the Western Conference. Ramos’ approach led to 201 chances created from open play, the third most in MLS. Darwin Quintero led the offense in both categories and finishes his first season in Houston with 63 chances created and 50 chances created from open play.
- COLORADO ENTERS WITH MOMENTUM: The Rapids enter Sunday’s match with momentum after a road victory over the Portland Timbers on Wednesday. With Wednesday’s victory the Rapids clinched a berth for the postseason after MLS switched from total points to points per game as the method to qualify for the playoffs. The Rapids missed five matches after staff and players tested positive for Covid-19 in Oct.
