Without returning to the scene of the crime, the Rapids will get a chance to settle an embarrassing score Saturday when they host the Houston Dynamo at Invesco Field at Mile High.
The Dynamo (2-2) christened its new Texas digs on April 2 with a 5-2 hammering of the Rapids, who lost midfielders Clint Mathis and Dedi Ben-Dayan to injuries in the first half.
After last week’s bye, Mathis and Ben-Dayan are expected to return to the starting lineup Saturday as the Rapids (1-1-1) try to extend their home unbeaten streak to 10 games.
The last team to beat the Rapids at Invesco Field was the San Jose Earthquakes, who became the Dynamo in the offseason and have come back down to Earth since blasting the Rapids.
Rapids coach Fernando Clavijo said Saturday’s starters will depend greatly on the status of Spanish international Aitor Karanka, who is expected to return to Colorado this week and receive clearance to make his debut. If the defender returns before Friday, Clavijo said he will play against Houston.
Leading scorer Jovan Kirov- ski and Nicolas Hernandez should return to the striker positions, Clavijo said, as both were asked to drop back and fill in for Mathis and Ben-Dayan the past two games.
As for the importance of making a statement against a Dynamo team that tried to make one against the Rapids four weeks ago?
“The significance of this game for us is that it’s a home game and we cannot give up points,” Clavijo said.
Peguero bullish on trade
Jean Philippe Peguero said Monday he was excited to join the New York Red Bulls after the Rapids traded the striker Friday for forward Thiago Martins and draft picks in the first and third rounds.
Peguero said he thought he would get more playing time with the Red Bulls (0-1-3). Peguero played 90 minutes in Saturday’s 4-1 loss to D.C. United.
“Colorado Rapids will always be in my heart,” Peguero said.
Clavijo injured
Clavijo spent his day off Sunday hiking near Boulder and broke his collarbone after reaching out to try to stop himself from slipping on a rock.
With his right arm in a blue sling, the second-year coach was in good spirits Monday at the team’s Westminster facilities despite nagging pain.
Footnotes
Alecko Eskandarian’s two goals for D.C. United in Saturday’s 4-1 win over the Red Bulls earned him the Major League Soccer player of the week award. His celebration after the first goal might get the forward fined. He took a can of Red Bull energy drink from a teammate, took a swig, then spit it out in feigned dislike. … The shake-up of the Red Bulls, formerly the MetroStars, continued Monday as assistant general manager Chris Canetti resigned after six years with the club. Canetti’s departure follows the resignation last week of general manager Alexi Lalas.
