Houston Dynamo FC look to extend unbeaten run on Saturday

Houston Dynamo FC are back on the road this weekend and look for their first three points away from BBVA Stadium. The Dynamo travel to Denver to face the Colorado Rapids at 8 p.m. CT on Saturday, May 15 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.

This is the third game for the Dynamo since last Saturday and the Dynamo look for their first winning streak of the season. Houston opened the three-game stretch with a 1-1 draw at FC Dallas on May 8 and earned their second victory of the season on Wednesday at home against Sporting Kansas City. Derrick Jones won the ball in the final third and found Maxi Urruti for the lone goal of the game. This was Jones’ first assist for the Dynamo and the midfielder finished with five tackles, eight recoveries and one interception. Urruti scored his second goal of the season and the Dynamo are unbeaten when the Argentine forward finds the back of the net.

The Dynamo will likely rotate players on Saturday as nine field players have started both games since May 8. To date, Adam Lundkvist, Tim Parker and Zarek Valentin are the only field players to play every minute (450) of the 2021 season for the Dynamo.

Houston dropped the season series to the Rapids in 2020 with a 0-1-1 record. Christian Ramirez gave Houston the lead in the first meeting of the year in Colorado, but the Rapids equalized to earn a share of the points. The Rapids cemented their berth for the 2020 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs against the Dynamo on Decision Day with a 2-1 victory at BBVA Stadium.

The Dynamo return to BBVA Stadium on Saturday, May 22 to host the Vancouver Whitecaps at 8 p.m. This will mark the return of Dynamo Legend Ricardo Clark to Houston after joining the Whitecaps as an assistant coach earlier this year.

Here are three key points ahead of Saturday’s game:    

1. JONES’ IMPACT FELT ON BOTH SIDES OF THE FIELD: Midfielder Derrick Jones sparked the game-winning goal on Wednesday against Sporting Kansas City, but his impact was felt throughout the field as he navigated the holding midfielder role for the Dynamo. The midfielder finished with a game-high five tackles and was tied with midfielder Joe Corona for the most possession gained with eight recoveries. Wednesday was Jones’ second consecutive start with the Dynamo. The 24-year-old has only played 200 of the 450 minutes available this season and ranks fourth in recoveries with 25. The 6-4 midfielder is also a presence in the air and is tied with Tim Parker for the third most aerial duels won this season with eight.  With his first assist under his belt Jones will be tasked with linking the midfield to the final third and capitalize on a Rapids backline that has conceded five goals in two games at home this season. 
   
2. ROTATIONS EXPECTED IN DENVER: The Dynamo will play their third game since May 8 on Saturday and many expect rotations after nine field players have started the last two games for Houston. To date, five field players for the Dynamo have played 400 or more minutes in the opening five games of the season. Midfielder Joe Corona and forward Maxi Urruti just miss the mark by less than 10 minutes each. Saturday will likely be an opportunity for players like midfielder Darwin Ceren, forward Ari Lassiter and striker Christian Ramirez to make an impact from the first whistle. The trio combine for 12 of the 20 substitutions Tab Ramos has made in 2021.
   
3. COLORADO BOUNCE BACK AFTER ROCKY START: The Rapids enter the match with a two-game winning streak after opening the season with one point from two games. Colorado opened the year with a scoreless draw against FC Dallas on the road and fell to Austin FC at home on April 24. The Rapids bounced back against the Vancouver Whitecaps with a 1-0 victory on May 2 and rallied to get past Minnesota United last Saturday at home.