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The Houston Dynamo look to bounce back after a disappointing loss on the road to the Portland Timbers by visiting our in-state rivals FC Dallas. When the Dynamo last faced FCD they were thumped 4-1 at home in the worst loss of the season.
In Portland, the Dynamo were missing several key players including goal scoring threat Giles Barnes and central defender Jermaine Taylor, both away with the Jamaican National team, and Brad Davis and Oscar Boniek Garcia, both of whom were injured and did not make the trip. The Dynamo reverted back to their 4-5-1 that had seen success earlier in the season, but the lack of playmaking and creativity from the midfield made it difficult for the Dynamo to find their lone forward Will Bruin. Throw in a disallowed goal, the 2nd in as many games, and some soft calls going against them and the Dynamo found themselves looking at a 2-0 deficit.
Last Week's Starting XI
Going against FC Dallas, the Dynamo will have regained a few of the pieces that they were missing against Portland in Giles Barnes and Jermaine Taylor which should help Coyle utilize the most successful lineup and formation of the year. This includes a tall and strong CB pairing of Taylor and David Horst with Raúl Rodríguez at RB to neutralize the talents of Fabian Castillo - who easily beat Sarkodie in the earlier meeting. Up top, the Dynamo could throw in the attacking tandem of Giles Barnes and Will Bruin which provides multiple threats to score. While Oscar Boniek Garcia has already left for the Honduran National Team, Brad Davis could make his appearance again for the team - though he's still listed on the injury report at the moment.
This game takes on added importance as the Dynamo need a win to attempt to regain El Capitan, a canon trophy for winning the Texas rivalry Derby. With Dallas possessing the first win, a loss by the Dynamo would mean we'd have to wait another year before we could secure the trophy again.
Owen Coyle has a few key pieces back to work with in this game, but who do you want to see lineup? Let us know and be sure to let us know your selection in the comments below!