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Rapids-FC Dallas Preview

Naturally bothered with their overall state, the Colorado Rapids are trying to remain positive while looking to avoid a pair of dubious distinctions.

In danger of going an MLS-record 19th straight match without a victory, the visiting Rapids are also looking to avoid surpassing the league's longest scoreless stretch to start a season Friday night against FC Dallas.

One week after becoming the first club to open with three straight scoreless draws, Colorado (0-1-3) fell 2-0 at home to New England on Saturday. The Rapids are 0-13-5 since a 3-0 home victory over now-defunct Chivas USA on July 25 - tying Real Salt Lake's 18-match winless skid that spanned the 2005 and '06 seasons.

"Obviously there is frustration," coach Pablo Mastroeni said. "Frustration because everyone in there knows how good we potentially can be. ... They know that what we have here is special. Not only technical and tactically, but also the spirit of the guys being together."

The Rapids have gone 600 scoreless minutes since former teammate John Neeskens' goal in the 30th minute of a 2-1 loss to Chivas on Oct. 11. They're 24 minutes shy of breaking the league-record scoreless stretch of 383 to start a season, set by Toronto FC in its inaugural 2007 campaign.

In the six games since its last goal, Colorado has recorded 61 shots with 22 on goal. It has 46 shots this season, one more than the total of FC Dallas (3-1-1), which is second in the league with seven goals.

''It just seems as if our goal is covered with some sort of Saran wrap,'' said Mastroeni, sent off in the 61st minute Saturday after arguing a decision that waved off a penalty kick opportunity for an offsides flag.

The Rapids believe it's only a matter of time before things will go their way.

"Once that goal hits the net, people are going to believe they can hit the net," Mastroeni said.

Colorado has gone 0-12-4 on the road since a 1-0 victory over Toronto on April 12.

The Rapids have dropped three straight to Dallas, and allowed 10 goals in a four-match road skid in the series.

Though Dallas (3-1-1) has the second-most points in the league, it's managed one goal while going 0-1-1 in two games since scoring six in the first three. Tesho Akindele's second of the season came in the 30th minute of Saturday's 3-1 loss at Portland.

"I know we're disappointed," midfielder Ryan Hollingshead told the team's official website. "We feel like every time we step on the field, we're able to win and we should win and we have the confidence that we can beat any team in this league."

Dallas' Blas Perez has a team-leading three goals. He scored on a penalty kick in the 56th minute of a 1-0 victory at Colorado on Oct. 18.

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