Rapids-Dynamo Preview
The Houston Dynamo will be without at least four starters this weekend including maybe both of their goal scorers.
Scoring or conceding a goal is something the Colorado Rapids haven't experienced through two games, and they will have two starting defenders available for this matchup.
The Dynamo will send out a new-look lineup Saturday night at home against a Rapids team that will likely feature James Riley and Bobby Burling returning as starters.
Houston (1-1-1) won't have Jamaicans Giles Barnes and Jermaine Taylor and Honduran players Boniek Garcia and Luis Garrido. Those starters are with their national teams during this stretch of international games.
Most leagues in the world do not play at this time, though that's not the case for MLS. It's part of an adjustment process for new coach Owen Coyle, who previously coached in the English Premier League.
"Coming into the league I said there was going to be lots of things I had to learn and deal with and one of them was obviously now that they play on FIFA calendar dates," Coyle told the Dynamo's official website. "We'll focus on what we've got."
The other problem for Coyle is that four additional key Houston players are nursing injuries. Ricardo Clark suffered a chest injury in last Saturday's 1-1 draw at Los Angeles that has him doubtful for this contest.
DaMarcus Beasley (hamstring), Nathan Sturgis (hip) and Raul Rodriguez (hamstring) are not certain to play.
Barnes scored in a season-opening 1-0 win over Columbus on March 7 while former Rapids midfielder Sturgis had Houston's other goal last weekend.
Colorado (0-0-2) is among three teams yet to score and the only club yet to concede a goal. The Rapids' defense figures to be stronger with Riley and Burling eligible to return from suspensions that kept them out of last Saturday's draw with New York FC in the home opener.
The Rapids finished with 21 overall shots to tie the most by any club this season. Dillon Powers had five shots and Gabriel Torres four.
"I thought all things being equal we created enough to win that game, and the effort was tremendous," coach Pablo Mastroeni said. "I think there are a lot of positives coming out of this game."
Powers never had more than three shots in a game prior to last week.
"I was happy that I was able to get some shots off," Powers said. "I've tried to make a point to have more of a nose for goal and taking more shots this year."
Powers assisted on two goals in last season's lone matchup with Houston, a 3-0 home win June 1. Colorado is enjoying a 5-0-3 run in this series.