Dynamo seek first win in Sunday home match against Colorado

HOUSTON, TEXAS (April 19, 2009) – The Houston Dynamo will seek their first win of the season on Sunday when they host the Colorado Rapids at 2:00 p.m. at Robertson Stadium.

The Dynamo (0-2-2) are likely to face the Rapids (2-1-1) without new signing Ade Akinbiyi, whose visa paperwork is still being held up in England. Forward Brian Ching, however, has been more than capable of carrying the load against Colorado in the past, as he has netted nine goals in Houston’s 11 games against the Rapids all-time, helping the Dynamo to a 7-2-2 record against Colorado. The Dynamo will also have defender Andrew Hainault available for the first time, likely as a substitute.

The Dynamo will also pay tribute to fallen Houston firefighters Captain James Harlow and Damion Hobbs, who were killed in the line of duty last weekend. The Dynamo will honor them and their firefighting colleagues by admitting firefighters from departments around the Houston area for free. A moment of silence will be observed before kickoff, and the Dynamo will wear HFD patches on their jerseys.

Those jerseys will be auctioned off during Saturday’s game through Dynamo Charities, with the proceeds going to the Last Alarm Club. The Last Alarm Club was founded in 1977 by a group of concerned firefighters and friends to assist families of Houston firefighters killed in the line of duty.

Among the other tributes planned, the Dynamo will raise funds for the Last Alarm Club through a special ticket offer in which $5 from a $15 ticket will be donated in Harlow and Hobbs’ memory. Fans will be able to purchase these tickets by calling (713) 276-7500 or via HoustonDynamo.com, and the offer also extends to the Dynamo’s May 9 and May 23 games against FC Dallas and the San Jose Earthquakes.

The Houston Dynamo are a Major League Soccer franchise that has won two MLS Cup championships in its first three seasons and represented the United States in three consecutive regional championships. The Dynamo will next face the Colorado Rapids on Sunday, April 19, for a 2:00 p.m. game at Robertson Stadium. Be sure to ask about the new Texas Children’s Health Plan Family Section. For more information, please log on to www.HoustonDynamo.com or call (713) 276-7500.