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Dynamo strive for more clinical finishing vs. Rapids

MLS: Portland Timbers at Houston Dynamo FCMar 14, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Dynamo forward Guilherme Augusto (20) controls the ball during the second half against the Portland Timbers at Shell Energy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

Houston Dynamo coach Ben Olsen wants a sharper offensive performance when his club hosts the Colorado Rapids on Saturday.

The Dynamo (4-5-0, 12 points) have struggled to capitalize on possessions around the box, a trend that Olsen said must improve.

“We are a little toothless in our attack,” Olsen said. “We have to be a little more patient and balanced and figure out the final third.”

Houston lost 2-0 to Austin last Saturday, even though it held 53.9% of the possession. Prior to the loss at Austin, the Dynamo had won two straight matches by 1-0 scores but have been outscored 18-12 this season.

Guilherme Augusto leads the Dynamo with five goals and four assists.

“For 100 minutes a week, you’ve got to summon something, summon the best in yourself,” Olsen said. “And that’s the responsibility these players have and I have.”

Colorado (4-5-1, 13 points) will look to bounce back after a 3-1 loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps last Saturday. Rafael Navarro tallied the lone goal, and the Brazilian forward leads the Rapids with seven goals and four assists. He also has 19 shots on target.

Navarro’s goal last week marked his 50th regular-season goal contribution in his fourth year with the club. He’s the eighth Colorado player to reach the milestone.

Rapids defender Keegan Rosenberry said the Rapids have to get off to better starts.

“From the first whistle, we have to show up as ourselves,” Rosenberry said. “We have to have that bravery and meet the demands of the game better.”

In the first matchup between the two teams, the Rapids rolled to a 6-2 home win over the Dynamo on April 11. Kosi Thompson and Navarro each scored a brace in that match. But since then, the Rapids have gone 0-2-1 in league play.

“We have to do the necessary dirty stuff to win games,” Colorado coach Matt Wells said. “Our football warrants that.”

–Field Level Media

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Improving Minnesota United aim to snag win at Crew

MLS: US Open-Minnesota United at San Jose EarthquakesApr 28, 2026; San Jose, CA, USA; Minnesota United FC goalkeeper Drake Callender (12) kicks the ball back into play during the second half against the San Jose Earthquakes at PayPal Park. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-Imagn Images

Despite a pair of losses, Minnesota United coach Cameron Knowles is optimistic about grabbing a historic win at the Columbus Crew on Saturday.

Minnesota United seek their first win in Columbus since joining the league in 2017, but due to quirks in the schedule they have played there only twice — losses in 2018 and 2020 — and have not played in the Crew’s current stadium since it opened in 2021.

The Loons (5-3-2, 17 points) had a four-match MLS winning streak snapped in a 1-0 loss to Los Angeles FC on April 25, followed by a 4-2 defeat in the U.S. Open Cup at San Jose on Tuesday despite leading the Earthquakes 2-1 in the second half.

It so happens San Jose and LAFC are ranked first and fourth, respectively, in the overall league standings and Knowles sees positives despite the setbacks.

“The guys can take a lot a pride in knowing we can compete against any team in this league anywhere,” he said. “We should take so much confidence in our ability to go into some really difficult environments and to play difficult teams and know that we can compete against all of them.”

While the Crew (3-4-3, 12 points) don’t match the quality of San Jose or LAFC in terms of points, they have finally found their footing under first-year coach Henrik Rydstrom with two consecutive wins in MLS play and a 5-1-1 record in their past seven matches in all competitions.

They are getting results despite losing leading scorer Wessam Abou Ali (five goals) to a season-ending knee injury April 12.

Rydstrom is looking for midfielder Hugo Picard to be among those contributing. Picard had two goals apiece in Open Cup wins against lower-tier clubs Richmond and Knoxville this season but has yet to score in 18 career MLS matches.

“What I really like is that he challenges his opponent,” Rydstrom said. “He missed some situations in the beginning (against Knoxville), but he just keeps going. For him, now it’s to take that step into the MLS because he’s so good, he can do it no matter the opponent.”

The match will be a homecoming for Minnesota’s Wil Trapp. The Columbus native played for the Crew from 2013 to 2019 and was the captain his final three seasons.

–Field Level Media

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Blues retain Dylan Holloway with five-year, $38.75 million deal

NHL: St. Louis Blues at Colorado AvalancheApr 5, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; St. Louis Blues left wing Dylan Holloway (81) controls the puck ahead of Colorado Avalanche center Nazem Kadri (91) in the first period at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

St. Louis Blues forward Dylan Holloway agreed to a five-year, $38.75 million contract extension, the team announced Friday.

Holloway, who turns 25 in September, is under contract with the team through 2030-31. The deal begins this coming season.

Holloway ranked second on the Blues in points (51) and goals (22) this season in 59 games.

He has 48 goals and 114 points in 136 games with St. Louis after being signed as a free agent following the 2023-24 season.

Holloway was initially a first-round draft pick by the Edmonton Oilers in 2020. He played in 89 games for the Oilers over two seasons and had nine goals and 18 points in the regular season.

He excelled in the 2023-24 postseason with five goals in 25 games as the Oilers lost to the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final. He then left to join the Blues.

–Field Level Media

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Brewers' Jacob Misiorowski no-hits Nats thru 5 1/3, leaves with injury

MLB: Milwaukee Brewers at Washington NationalsMay 1, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Jacob Misiorowski (32) pitches against the Washington Nationals during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Jacob Misiorowski took a no-hitter into the sixth inning against the Washington Nationals but left the game with an apparent injury.

After throwing a 98.9-mph swinging strike one to James Wood with one out, Misiorowski looked into the dugout. Manager Pat Murphy and trainer Brad Epstein came out and Misiorowski left the game.

The right-hander was in the midst of a dominant effort, having struck out eight and walked two. He retired the last 12 batters he faced, the final four by strikeout.

Aaron Ashby came on with Milwaukee leading 4-0, struck out Wood and got Luis Garcia Jr. to ground out, extending a combined no-hitter to six innings.

–Field Level Media

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