Rapids preparing for shivery duel along with high-powered Houston

Snow in early September?

Littleton native Cole Bassett could only laugh.

“I’ve never had snow in September,” said the 19-year-old Rapids midfielder, who was named to the MLS Team of the Week for his performance last Saturday. “I saw something that this was the first time in 20 years it’s going to happen in September, I’m glad to see snow.”

With snow falling in the city Tuesday and temperatures predicted to be about 50 degrees colder than Colorado’s last home game, the match against the Houston Dynamo on Wednesday night at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park may have a different feel.

“If Houston doesn’t like snow, I think that’s an advantage to us,” Bassett said. “We did pretty well in the cold last year so I think we have to use that to our advantage. The cold and altitude actually help us a bit and we just got to keep doing what we’re doing and stay on the front foot, control games and then finish off our chances.”

Bassett has been involved in the last two Rapids finishes, assisting on each of the lone goals in the club’s previous two matches. With the hopes of one day going to play for the big clubs in Europe, Bassett has taken a step forward in his development in recent weeks.

“I still have a long way to go,” he said. “It’s just been the start of trying to get in a run of games and I’ve been working hard for a while to try to get in the lineup and try to stay in it.”

That shouldn’t be a problem the way Bassett is playing. It’s getting more production out of the rest of the club that is more concerning.

Bassett and Co. have done well in creating chances but haven’t been able to finish enough off, scoring three goals total in their last three matches. It doesn’t help that Nicolas Benezet has only played in three of the Rapids’ eight matches due to a myriad of injury issues.

Captain Jack Price did not start in San Jose as he was sidelined with a minor issue. He could be back against Houston, though his status is unclear.

The Dynamo came to Colorado in March of 2019 on a cold day with morning snow and made easy work of the Rapids. Behind Memo Rodriguez and Alberth Ellis, Houston exposed the Rapids defense in a 4-1 win that included two own goals in the first half.

The Houston attack has scored 10 goals in its past three matches — all wins for first-year year coach Tab Ramos.

“It’s a huge challenge for us,” Rapids coach Robin Fraser said. “Houston is playing very well, getting very good results. They have a number of very dangerous attacking players that are a handful to deal with.”

Footnote. Rapids legend Pablo Mastroeni, a member of the Houston coaching staff, was supposed to have his No. 25 retired by Colorado this season before COVID-19 put those plans on hold. Colorado has instead opted to wait for Mastroeni to get his day in front of Rapids fans.

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