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The Houston Dynamo have not lost in 3 games including important wins over Western Conference opponents the LA Galaxy and the San Jose Earthquakes while only allowing 2 goals over that time. They'll be looking to extend that streak against the New England Revolution, their first stop on a 3 game road trip.
In the Dynamo's last match against the Earthquakes, the defense's ability to develop attacks and support the offense was key and directly led to the Dynamo's goals through DaMarcus Beasley's great run and finish and Sheanon Williams's perfectly placed low cross to Alex Lima for the game winning goal. The Dynamo were without several players including central midfielders Ricardo Clark (hamstring injury) and Nathan Sturgis (red card suspension), which forced Coyle to be a little more creative with the lineup that he trotted out against former Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear.
Coyle's Starting XI against the San Jose Earthquakes
This week against the Revs, the Dynamo will have help back in a few areas. Nathan Sturgis will rejoin the team which will force Coyle to decide to ride with what worked against the Quakes or go back to a 2 DM midfield. Ricardo Clark recently trained with the Dynamo, despite injuring his hamstring against Sporting Kansas City back on August 1st, but still isn't expected to play.
Rookie left winger Rob Lovejoy and rookie fullback Taylor Hunter also rejoined training sessions along with midfielder Alex Lopez, who had apparently been dealing with a groin injury.
Throw in another week for Erick "Cubo" Torres to get 90 minutes fit and and the return of Oscar Boniek Garcia and there is no shortage of lineup possibilities for Coyle. The Revolution have allowed among the most goals in the league, though their forward and attacking midfield options will give our new backline a test. Do you try to rain in the goals with an attacking formation? Or do you try to contain their attacking talents? Let us know how you'd line up the Dynamo and be sure to discuss your picks in the comments below!