HOUSTON – The Colorado Rapids played another 0-0 draw last night, this time at BBVA Compass Stadium in front of 19,603 fans. The Houston Dynamo (1-1-2) and Rapids (0-0-3) each struggled putting shots on goal.
The Rapids were without two center backs; Axel Sjoberg out with an injured foot and Shane O’Neill, who’s currently away with the U.S. National Team U-23’s. In their place, head coach Pablo Mastroeni started Bobby Burling who returned after suspension and Jared Watts.
Colorado designated player Juan Ramirez made his debut to the starting lineup alongside Marcelo Sarvas, who wore the captain’s arm band. Another move Mastroeni made was moving Gaby Torres to striker, leaving 2015 draft pick Dominique Badji on the bench.
Sarvas had two chances to put the Rapids up early; his first chance came in the 16th minute when he fired a shot just inside the box, but Houston goalie Tyler Deric stopped the ball. Sarvas’ next opportunity came nearly 15 minutes later on a set of passes from Ramirez and Torres but Deric saved Sarvas’ close range shot.
“I think he played some great football,” Mastroeni said of Ramirez’s debut. “He’s still working his way into form and fitness but I think he’s a player that loosened up the guys quite a bit and when we found him, I thought we were dangerous. He created some good opportunities for his teammates and some space for himself as well.”
The Dynamo had their first opportunity on goal 24 minutes into the match when Rob Lovejoy had a corner kick blocked. A minute later Houston captain Brad Davis had one that curled into Rapids goalkeeper Clint Irwin’s hands.
After the scoreless first 45 minutes, each team had a quality shot on goal in the second half.
Colorado’s came in the 68th minute when Sam Cronin found Torres open cutting in the box, but his shot was off target.
Houston’s chance came from their rookie Zach Steinberger who nailed a shot just outside the penalty box in the 88th minute missing the goal just wide.
After 93 minutes of play the game ended in a goalless night. The third for the Rapids to start the 2015 season becoming the first team in MLS history to start the season with three consecutive scoreless draws.
“It was a hard-fought point,” Mastroeni said postgame. “We did a pretty good job in this game of creating some clear opportunities on goal but we just can’t find our way into the net. Everything else was really good, the effort and the commitment was good. Now we are just looking for that goal.”
The Rapids return home to host the New England Revolution next Saturday night at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park at 5 pm. You can catch that game on Mile High Sports Radio AM 1550| FM 94.1|96.9 in Boulder.
Jesse Trujillo is a producer and writer for Mile High Sports. He can be emailed at jtrujillo81@gmail.com and followed on Twitter @Jtrujillo1981