HOUSTON — Scott Palguta scored his first career goal and the Rapids ended a four-game winless streak with a 2-1 victory over the Houston Dynamo on Wednesday night.
After a Marvel Wynne throw-in, Houston struggled to clear the ball, which eventually rolled to Palguta at the top of the box. The veteran — making his first start of the year — made no mistake from 18 yards, placing a well-struck left-footed shot through traffic from the upper center box into the right side of the goal in the 84th minute.
Houston had its six-game unbeaten streak snapped, while Colorado won for the first time since a 4-1 victory over D.C. United on April 3.
The Dynamo took a 1-0 lead in the 71st minute when Colin Clark sent a left-footed shot inside the near post from 16 yards out.
Colorado tied it three minutes later when Jamie Smith took a free kick from 45 yards out on the left sideline and blooped it over Hall.
The Dynamo had a chance to tie in the 86th, but Alex Dixon’s shot from the right box was saved by Matt Pickens.
The Rapids continue their road trip, facing the New England Revolution at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.
Colorado 0 2 — 2
Houston 0 1 — 1
First half — None.
Second half — 1, Houston, Clark 1 (Watson), 71st minute. 2, Colorado, Smith 3, 74th. 3, Colorado, Palguta 1 (Folan), 84th.
Goalies — Colorado, Matt Pickens; Houston, Tally Hall.
Yellow cards — Weaver, Houston, 34th; Davis, Houston, 40th.
Referee — Terry Vaughn. Assistant referees — Sean Hurd. Peter Balciunas. Fourth official — Mark Declouet.
A — 13,206 (32,000).
