Colorado Rapids Edge Houston Dynamo, 1-0

Julien Baudet, welcome to America.

 In just his third appearance since transferring to the Colorado Rapids from England’s Crewe Alexandra, the French defenseman’s 56th minute goal proved to be the difference maker in a tight match at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.

 Entering today’s game, Colorado’s last seven matches saw them alternate between wins and losses—last week was a 3-2 loss to Chicago whereas the week before was a commanding 4-0 victory against Chivas USA. Coupled with the fact that the Rapids have a 6-2-3 home record this year, one could make the argument that Colorado could top Houston, who owned the best record in Major League Soccer.

 By their standards, the Dynamo were coming off a disappointing week. Last Sunday, Houston drew at home to Seattle despite having an early lead. Four days later, Houston tied Arabe Unido of Panama 1-1 in a match that resembled a circus more than anything else. Five red cards were awarded, projectiles were thrown on the match, and the Panamanian side’s stadium even lost power, which delayed the game over 15 minutes. Playing once again on the road, the point-leaders would have to shrug off a grueling week in order to maintain their stature.

 First Half

Colorado had two decent chances in the first ten minutes and it looked as though they would keep their initial pace throughout the half.

 In the 6th minute, Jacob Peterson took a good feed from Nick Labrocca in the box and would have set up Conor Casey for an early goal had his cross not been off-target. Minutes later, Peterson crossed the ball in for Labrocca, whose header on goal went right to Houston goalkeeper Pat Onstad.

 Houston looked tired from their midweek CONCACAF Champions League tie and had trouble connecting passes, let alone generating chances on goal.

 The half ended with some excitement, however, as both teams had quality opportunities to take a lead into break.

 In the 36th minute, Omar Cummings intercepted a pass at midfield and went on a blistering run down the left side. Cummings crossed the ball in for Peterson, whose outstretched foot barely missed the ball just at the penalty spot.

 Later, Cummings took a fine through ball from Casey and only had Onstad to beat, yet he could not get a shot on.

 Houston finally came to life in the 41st minute and nearly shocked the home side. Brian Ching held the ball to the right of the box and crossed it in for Kei Kamara. Goalkeeper Matt Pickens was beaten on the cross, but Kamara’s foot could not connect with it.

 Despite their apparent fitness advantage, Colorado suffered two first half injuries, Cory Gibbs in the 13th minute and Jamie Smith in the 33rd, which used up two valuable substitutions.

 Second Half

Houston appeared as though they had shaken off their uninspiring first half play when Kei Kamara nearly gave the Dynamo the lead minutes into the second half. Alone in front, Kamara took a hard shot, but Pickens made a great save by cutting off his angle.

 Colorado immediately countered, yet Peterson’s firm attempt was saved by a diving Onstad.

 The Rapids finally got a well-deserved goal minutes later in the 56th minute when Julien Baudet headed in Mehdi Ballouchy’s corner kick. Baudet, who was subbed in for Gibbs in the 13th, beat Kamara and sent in a strong header past Onstad. Baudet was mobbed by his new teammates, much to the delight of the home crowd.

 Luis Angel Landin came on for the Dynamo in the 59th minute for Brian Mullan. However, Houston’s designated player would make little of an impact.

 The match turned physical in the 62nd minute when Pablo Mastroeni and Andrew Hainault collided while playing a ball in the air. Both players fell to the ground and stayed there for a couple minutes. Though Mastroeni appeared to be hurt, replays indicated that he had, in fact, elbowed Hainault in the head. Colorado’s captain would be awarded a yellow card for his play.

 Houston’s best chance of the match came in the 69th minute off of a Brad Davis free kick from 25 yards out. Davis was able to bend the ball past Colorado’s wall and beat Pickens. Unfortunately, his shot was just inches wide left and hit the outside netting.

 Minutes after, the Rapids almost doubled-up Houston when Ballouchy’s wide open shot in front of the goal hit the crossbar. The play was set up beautifully by Cummings, whose pinpoint cross gave Ballouchy the open attempt.

 Colorado kept pressuring their guests and almost scored once again, this time off of the head of Casey. Peterson and Kimura combined near the right sideline and Kimura sent a fine cross into the Houston zone. Casey beat the defense, yet his header went over the crossbar, keeping Colorado ahead by only one.

 The tone of the match became ugly in the 86th minute when Houston’s Davis was shown red for a reckless foul on Ballouchy. Davis clumsily challenged Ballouchy in the air, striking the back of his head. Though first shown yellow, referee Hilario Grajeda later determined that the play was worthy of a red and sent Davis to the showers.

 Houston could not muster another attack and the match ended 1-0 in favor the Colorado Rapids.

 With today’s victory, Colorado (9-7-6) now sits in fourth place in the western conference—putting them back in the hunt for a playoff spot. The Rapids will stay at home for next week’s match against Toronto FC.

 Despite today’s loss, Houston (11-7-7) is still atop the western conference. They will have two weeks of rest to prepare for what should be an epic clash at Columbus on September 13.

Greg Adrouny, Goal.com