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Dynamo-Rapids Preview

Aug 27, 2010 - 5:30 PM By MATT BEARDMORE STATS Writer

Houston (6-10-5) at Colorado (7-6-7), 9:30 p.m. EDT

Brian Ching's second career hat trick helped Houston snap the longest winless stretch in franchise history. Another big game by the veteran striker against the Colorado Rapids could help the Dynamo move closer to a playoff spot.

Houston looks to post back-to-back victories for the first time in 14 months Saturday night when it faces a Rapids club trying to extend its home unbeaten streak to seven.

With the Dynamo (6-10-5) looking to snap an 0-6-4 slide, Ching scored three goals - including the winner in the 85th minute - in a 4-3 victory over visiting Chicago last Saturday.

It was his first hat trick since scoring a career-high four times in Houston's first game, a 5-2 win over Colorado on April 2, 2006.

"For the past few games, and the past few months (there were) a lot of long faces here," Ching told the Dynamo's official website after the team's first victory since May 22. "When you are not winning, it kind of sucks the joy out of it. We were trying to get back to enjoying playing soccer."

Ching, the MLS player of the week, has scored 10 goals in 11 career games against Colorado (7-6-7).

The Dynamo are 1-7-2 on the road and have been shut out in their last three matches away from Robertson Stadium. Houston, which has not won two in a row since June 2009, lost 1-0 in its last visit to Dick's Sporting Goods Park on Aug. 30.

The Rapids are 3-0-3 in their last six at home.

Colorado is looking to generate more offense following a 3-1 loss at Columbus last Saturday. The Rapids haven't scored more than one goal in eight matches since a 2-all draw at Houston on June 26.

"We may be off form right now," striker Omar Cummings told the Rapids' official website. "We have been making chances but we are having difficulty scoring goals."

Cummings is looking for his first goal in five matches and leading-scorer Conor Casey hasn't found the back of the net in his last three, but they will be facing a Houston team that's surrendered a Western Conference-worst 33 goals.

Rapids midfielder Pablo Mastroeni, who tied a career high with his second goal last weekend, is expected to play Saturday and move past Chris Henderson with his team-record 171st appearance.

Houston is 7-3-3 all-time against Colorado.