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Rapids-FC Dallas Preview

Oct 16, 2009 - 7:45 PM By ANTHONY GIORNALISTA STATS Senior Writer

Colorado (10-8-10) at FC Dallas (10-12-6), 8:30 p.m. EDT

A surprisingly strong performance by Conor Casey got the U.S. national team into the World Cup. The Colorado Rapids, meanwhile, have come to expect outstanding play from Casey as they try to stay in playoff position.

Following what was perhaps the best match of his career, Casey looks to help the Rapids continue their postseason push in a matchup with Jeff Cunningham and FC Dallas on Saturday night.

Casey scored his first two international goals in his 15th game with the national team last Saturday night, helping the U.S. secure a trip to the 2010 World Cup with a 3-2 victory over Honduras. It was a dramatic win for the United States, which was running out of chances.

Plagued by injuries that have required surgery on both knees, Casey has been in and out of national team duty. Coach Bob Bradley made a somewhat unexpected move by starting him over Jozy Altidore last weekend.

While Casey hasn't thrived consistently with the national team, the Rapids (10-8-10) can credit his clutch play for keeping them in playoff contention. Colorado has played to four consecutive draws, with Casey scoring the game-tying goals off penalty kicks in three of those matches.

"I never get tired of it - being in those situations," said Casey, whose penalty kick in the 58th minute gave Colorado a 1-1 tie with New England in its last match Oct. 3. "It would be nice for us to create some goals in regular play and not have to rely on PKs for the rest of the season."

The Rapids head into this weekend two points ahead of the Revolution, who are holding on to the last of four wild-card spots. Dallas (10-12-6) trails New England by two points.

Dallas has won three straight and four of five, including a 2-1 victory at San Jose on Oct. 7.

Cunningham has scored 16 goals in his last 13 games and four in his last five contests to help Dallas make a late-season run at the playoffs. The former Rapid leads MLS with 17 goals, one more than Casey. No other player has more than 12.

After Kenny Cooper departed for Germany on July 31, Cunningham has teamed with David Ferreira (eight goals and seven assists) to lead Dallas offensively.

"When he was given the opportunity to be ... the difference-maker, he really stepped up," Dallas coach Schellas Hyndman said. "But you also have to identify what a great job David Ferreira has also done. The two of them have really been on the same page."

Cunningham and Ferreira will face a Rapids team that might have Matt Pickens back in goal. Pickens has missed five straight games with a sprained knee, but he isn't listed on this week's injury report.

Pickens has seven shutouts and a 1.16 goals-against average in 19 games. Preston Burpo, who has started in Pickens' absence, hasn't won since a 3-2 victory at Los Angeles on April 4.

Pickens started for Colorado in a 1-0 win over Dallas on July 11. The Rapids are 3-0-2 against Dallas after losing the previous six meetings.