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Rapids-Dynamo Preview

Jun 25, 2010 - 11:39 PM By BRETT HUSTON STATS Writer

Colorado (6-3-2) at Houston (5-7-1), 8:30 p.m. EDT

After three consecutive losses exposed a leaky defense, the World Cup break couldn't have come at a better point for the Houston Dynamo.

The timing of the two-week hiatus couldn't have been any worse for the Colorado Rapids.

Unbeaten in four straight and boasting one of the league's stingiest defenses, the Rapids look to pick up where they left off and add to the Dynamo's misery Saturday night in Houston.

Colorado (6-3-2) didn't score in a pair of losses at the beginning of May, but posted three consecutive shutouts from May 15-June 1 in compiling its first three-game winning streak in nearly three years.

The Rapids couldn't stretch the streak to four in their final game before the break, but the way they salvaged one point made it feel almost as good as three. Conor Casey scored in the 91st minute June 9 at Chicago to help Colorado secure a 2-all draw.

"We are on a little bit of a run, we've got some confidence," said Casey, who has scored five of his team's 13 goals. "(This) wasn't one of our better performances, but the fact that we're in every game, and it's close, says a lot about where we are at right now."

Casey, who many thought would be on the U.S. World Cup squad, figures to have a good chance to find the back of the net again against the Dynamo (5-7-1). Houston has allowed a Western Conference-high 19 goals - 10 more than Colorado - nine of which came in its three straight losses heading into the break.

The Dynamo lost 4-1 at league-leading Los Angeles on June 5, the first time in their five-year history they've allowed four goals in a league game.

"We just have to look ourselves in the mirror," midfielder Lovel Palmer said. "(We need to) evaluate our performance and work on it as individuals and as a team.

"I think the guys are a little bit tired but we can't find excuses, we need to find ways to win games. It's tough, but we are going to have to bounce back for the Colorado game."

Houston striker Brian Ching, another surprise absence from the U.S. team, has been back for the last three games after missing four of the team's first seven due to a pair of injuries.

Ching has scored two goals since returning, but the Dynamo's focus right now is on shoring up its back line. Injuries to defenders Eddie Robinson and Mike Chabala have hurt, as has a rusty Ching, an excellent defensive forward.

"It's not just the defense, it is team defense," coach Dominic Kinnear said. (Those) guys up front and in the middle, we need to be harder to play against. Also I think possession (is important because) it is the best defense you can have. If you hold on to the ball it makes it easier."

The Dynamo are 5-0-1 all-time at home against Colorado.