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Struggling Rapids open key road trip at Dynamo

May 3, 2011 - 8:19 PM Houston, TX (Sports Network) - Colorado coach Gary Smith believes the Rapids are "capable of coming away with three points" Wednesday against the Houston Dynamo to snap a four-game winless streak that includes three losses.

The defending MLS Cup champions opened the season with three consecutive wins, but visit Robertson Stadium to play the Dynamo - who are undefeated in six in a row - with just one goal scored in their last four matches.

Although Smith has been without his some of his top attacking options, notably former U.S. striker Conor Casey, he's "very comfortable with the team."

Smith expects the Rapids (3-3-1) to have Quincy Amarikwa, Caleb Folan, Wells Thompson, and Marvell Wynne back this week after the foursome missed a 1-1 tie against the Chicago Fire last week.

Despite the poor run of form, Smith believed, "I can safely say that six our seven performances have been to a very decent level."

Colorado's woes began with a 3-0 loss at FC Dallas in a rematch of last year's Major League Soccer Cup final, and continued with 1-0 losses to Real Salt Lake and Seattle Sounders FC.

With the visit to Houston followed by trips to the New England Revolution and D.C. United, Colorado needs to snap its skid and earn some points on the road. But Smith remained focused on Houston.

"I'm very firmly focused on the Houston game to begin, I don't want to look too much further than that at this point," Smith said.

Houston (3-1-3) temporarily moved into first in the Eastern Conference with an impressive 4-1 win over D.C. United on Friday, but the Dynamo slipped to third after the weekend's fixtures.

Rookie Will Bruin notched a hat trick against D.C., and the Dynamo have three wins and three ties since losing their opener to the Philadelphia Union.

"They look very competitive, they look like they've got that edge back," Smith said, "and I'm sure they're very confident in the way they've been playing."