MLS: Houston at Colorado
7 p.m. Saturday, ALT, 1510 AM, 93.7 FM
Spotlight on Oscar Pareja: Colorado’s first-year head coach inherited a team one season removed from an MLS Cup title. That the Rapids missed qualifying for the playoffs this season speaks to a rough transition. But the team’s style, as Pareja promised, is more possession-oriented and forward-pressing. The Rapids rarely tie games. The key Saturday against the Dynamo — the second-highest scoring team in MLS — will be keeping the back line organized. It’s the same task that likely will be near the top of Pareja’s to-do list before next season.
NOTEBOOK
Rapids: Veteran reserve Kamani Hill, despite limited playing time this season, is the Rapids’ third-highest scorer. His smart bouncing header for a goal last week completely fooled Chivas USA’s Tim Melia, who was making his MLS debut. … Goalkeeper Matt Pickens, winger Brian Mullan and striker Conor Casey will be off the game-day roster after they were shut down in recent weeks because of injuries. … Midfielder Martin Rivero, normally the playmaker, scored his second goal of the season last week after he calmly slotted a shot at the far post.
Dynamo: Houston arrives in Colorado just four days after drawing 1-1 with Honduras’ Olimpia on Tuesday. It earned the Dynamo a berth in the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals next year. … Houston holds the fourth slot in the Eastern Conference standings. A victory over Colorado could propel the Dynamo past New York and into better playoff positioning.
Footnotes: It’s unlikely the Rapids will return next season with their current roster intact. Saturday’s game could be the last for a handful of players in Colorado. Nick Groke, The Denver Post
