Houston's Attack Is Toothless and Colorado Is About to Find Out Why It Matters

Houston Dynamo coach Ben Olsen is not mincing words. His team is struggling to finish, and when the Colorado Rapids roll into town on Saturday, the Dynamo need to prove they can actually put the ball in the net when it matters. That's the whole game right now.

The Dynamo (4-5-0, 12 points) held 53.9% of the possession against Austin last Saturday and still lost 2-0. That's the frustrating part. They're getting into positions, they're controlling matches, but nothing is happening in the final third. Olsen called it plainly: "We are a little toothless in our attack. We have to be a little more patient and balanced and figure out the final third."

Houston Has One Real Problem: Converting Chances

Before the loss to Austin, the Dynamo had won back-to-back matches 1-0. That streak is gone. The numbers tell the story: outscored 18-12 on the season. That's a team that isn't taking advantage of what it creates. Guilherme Augusto is carrying the load with five goals and four assists, but one guy can't solve this alone.

Olsen knows the standard is simple. "For 100 minutes a week, you've got to summon something, summon the best in yourself," he said. "And that's the responsibility these players have and I have." Saturday against Colorado is exactly when that responsibility gets tested.

Colorado Arrives Limping After Getting Punched by Vancouver

The Rapids (4-5-1, 13 points) are coming off a 3-1 loss to Vancouver last Saturday. Rafael Navarro scored their only goal, and the Brazilian forward has been their bright spot with seven goals and four assists on the season. He also has 19 shots on target. That 50th regular-season goal contribution last week makes him the eighth Colorado player to reach the milestone, but it didn't save them.

Defender Keegan Rosenberry knows what went wrong. "From the first whistle, we have to show up as ourselves," he said. "We have to have that bravery and meet the demands of the game better." Since their 6-2 demolition of Houston on April 11, the Rapids have gone 0-2-1. Kosi Thompson and Navarro each scored twice in that first matchup, but that form has vanished.

Coach Matt Wells is focused on the basics. "We have to do the necessary dirty stuff to win games," he said. "Our football warrants that." Saturday is about execution. Houston needs to finish. Colorado needs to show up from the start. One team gets it right, the other goes deeper into this hole.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.