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Rapids-United Preview

May 14, 2010 - 7:18 PM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Colorado (3-3-1) at D.C. (1-6-0), 7:30 p.m. EDT

It's been a difficult few weeks for Conor Casey.

After being left off the U.S. World Cup training roster, Casey will try to refocus his efforts on getting the Colorado Rapids back on track Saturday when they go for their first road win over D.C. United in more than a decade.

Casey, third in Rapids history with 32 goals, was instrumental in the U.S. earning a World Cup berth, scoring twice in a win over Honduras in October. However, he was omitted from the 30-man training camp roster which was announced this week.

"I am a tad surprised, I have to say," Colorado coach Gary Smith told the Rapids' official website. "From where I am, I thought he would be part of that initial group. He's been fantastic for us."

Casey's recent struggles, and those of his team, may have contributed to the final decision to keep him off the U.S. roster. His three goals this season all came on penalty kicks, and he's failed to score in three straight games.

Colorado (3-3-1) was shut out in the last two and lost both, most recently 1-0 to Los Angeles on May 5. Casey, who received a yellow card for a reckless tackle, felt particularly frustrated because he had good chances to find the back of the net.

"(Omar Cummings and I) were both active, but if you don't score as a forward, it doesn't really matter," he said.

The Rapids haven't scored since the 73rd minute of a 2-1 win over New England on April 24, but they're facing a D.C. team which has given up a league-high 15 goals.

Colorado, though, has not won at RFK Stadium since July 10, 1999, going 0-7-4 since. United (1-6-0) are the only MLS team Casey hasn't scored against.

D.C. is coming off a 1-0 defeat to FC Dallas last Saturday, failing to build on the club's first win of the season posted earlier that week. United, who have scored a league-low four goals this season, managed just four shots on goal to Dallas' seven.

Goaltender Bill Hamid made his second straight start after leading D.C. to its first win of the season. Although Hamid played well against Dallas, coach Curt Onalfo would not say whether the 19-year-old rookie will start again this weekend or whether benched veteran Troy Perkins will get another chance.

"We have two competitive goalies that can play and that's only going to make both of them better," assistant coach Mark Simpson told United's official website. "I would put both of them in a game at this point."

Defender Jordan Graye suffered a strained hamstring in the team's last game and is questionable to play Saturday.