Colorado Rapids will look for their third road victory in the season as they visit a Houston Dynamo page gradually and find their foot after a slow start.
Colorado (4-2-2, 14 points) will undoubtedly come its most impressive result this campaign, a 3-2 home victory last weekend over an expansion San Diego FC page that has exceeded expectations by being tied to third place in the Western Conference.
Rafael Navarro, Djordje Mihailovic and Darren Yapi scored goals for the rapids, who drew a bit of a surprise by using a 4-2-2- formation that clearly disturbed San Diego’s rhythm.
Colorado chief Chris Armas would not say if it was a switch or a week’s wrinkle. But when he prepares to meet an opponent stylistically resembles San Diego – a Houston page managed by his former American men’s national teammate Ben Olsen – he says in some way, the rapids should focus on disturbing their opponent’s endeavor to possess possession.
“We have looked at some things this week, and regardless, our principles do not change. Our behaviors do not change what we do,” Armas said. “I don’t know if Ben Olsens listens over there. My friend, we will come after you, man. You are good, but that is our way, brother. We are up to that challenge.”
Houston (1-4-3, 6 points) comes to the following positive results for the first time, a 1-0 home victory over Los Angeles FC followed by a 1-1-O-made on Los Angeles Galaxy last Saturday.
Dynamo finally got a second goal for the Argentine forward Ezequiel Ponce in a draw versus the galaxy. The team has made some additions late in the primary transfer window that should make it easier to get Ponce more service.
Houston eventually admitted a leveler to 10-man Galaxy after half time. But Olsen said he felt heard that Ponce had stopped more disciplined in Dynamo’s formation and was repaid with a goal.
“We asked (Ponce) to stay patience tonight in front of the goal and not release,” Olsen said. “I am really happy for him and grateful that he was rewarded today. It was a very good team goal, and he was right where he needed to be. That’s how he will score, and he has to trust that we can get him in these places.”
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