Ben Olsen is confident the Houston Dynamo's steady push for a playoff place could work in their favour as they prepare to travel to the Colorado Rapids in MLS.

The Dynamo are currently 10th in the Western Conference, just two points behind ninth-placed San Jose Earthquakes, with just five games remaining.

Houston have lost just one of their last six league matches (W1 D4), with Olsen left frustrated after their last match ended in a 1-1 draw with the LA Galaxy, who scored a 99th-minute equalizer.

But he is keen for the Dynamo to quickly put that result behind them and put some pressure on the teams above them with a win on Saturday.

"We lick our wounds, but we'll rebound," he said. "A good week of training will help.

"We understand the importance of this next match and the opportunity it will present. It's never going to be easy.

"One point at a time. Hopefully, we can go there and continue some of our away form. If we do the job there, again, we're still in this conversation."

Colorado, meanwhile, are in a playoff spot, but are only three points ahead of Houston in eighth.

After back-to-back wins following their return from Leagues Cup action, the Rapids have now lost their last two outings to the Galaxy and Sporting Kansas City.

Rob Holding, who joined Colorado in August, is hoping the experience he can provide will help the younger players during the rest of the season.

"I think bringing in another experienced player will help with the young lads as they look up and realize that every detail does matter, because that's what I had," Holding said.

"I want to be in the role for someone coming into the team that's a bit nervous and make them feel at ease. But then they also don't take liberties, and they have to be at a certain standard, so they sort of learn quickly that this is great. People are helping me, but I can't be taking it easy."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Colorado Rapids – Rafael Navarro

Rafael Navarro scored his team-leading 12th goal of the season in Colorado’s last match.

He is the second Rapids player to score 12 or more goals in consecutive seasons, joining Connor Casey (2009 and 2010).

Houston Dynamo – Ezequiel Ponce

On Saturday, Ezequiel Ponce tallied his ninth regular-season goal of the season and his 14th since he debuted for Houston in August 2024.

The only other Dynamo player with more than three regular-season goals in that time is Jack McGlynn (five).

MATCH PREDICTION – COLORADO RAPIDS WIN

Houston are unbeaten in their last seven meetings (W3 D4) with Colorado. Before their current streak, the Dynamo had never gone more than five straight matches without a loss against the Rapids.

Nine of Colorado’s 13 losses have been by multiple goals during the 2025 regular season, including each of their last two matches. The Rapids have had more losses by two or more goals in a season twice (12 in 1996, 10 in 2000), but they are expected to make their home advantage count on Saturday.

Houston has earned a draw in four of their last six regular-season games and have nine league draws this season, tied for the second most in the Western Conference in 2025 (FC Dallas – 10). Six of those draws have come on the road, giving hope to Colorado.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Colorado Rapids – 44.6%

Draw – 26.9%

Houston Dynamo – 28.5%