Houston Dynamo vs Colorado Rapids

Houston got the job done at Shell Energy Stadium on Wednesday night, grinding out a 1-0 victory over Colorado in a match that remained goalless at the break. The Rapids dominated possession with 61 percent of the ball, but it was the Dynamo who made their chances count when it mattered. Houston fired nine shots at goal with five finding the target, while Colorado managed just four attempts and two on frame. Lawrence Ennali was the standout performer for the hosts, earning man of the match honors with a commanding display that helped shift the momentum as the game wore on. The set pieces proved crucial throughout, with Houston winning six corners to Colorado's five and using those opportunities to press their advantage. It's a result that keeps Houston's push for a stronger position in the standings alive, though they'll know they were second best for large spells. For Colorado, another away defeat stings, particularly after they'd controlled much of the game without being clinical enough when it counted.

Houston Dynamo beat Colorado Rapids 1-0 at Shell Energy Stadium, and the numbers from the match back up how the game played out. Houston Dynamo also had the better share of the ball, holding 39% possession, which usually goes hand in hand with the extra control a winning side tends to show. The shot count told a similar story, with 9 attempts from Houston Dynamo against 4 from Colorado Rapids over the course of the game. Colorado Rapids had their moments and did not make it easy from start to finish, but ultimately came up short on the day. Small margins like this one tend to add up over a season, and results such as this are often what separates teams in the table further down the line. Here is a closer look at exactly how the two sides compared, statistically.