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Pick the Lineup against the Philadelphia Union

Who’s in your starting XI against the Philadelphia Union?

Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

The Houston Dynamo look to bounce back against the Philadelphia Union following their devastating 3-1 loss to Real Salt Lake. The Dynamo, not mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, hope to regain form following an unlucky defensive display against RSL that featured 2 goals scored from rebounded saves. While the Dynamo defense struggled at times against Salt Lake, the offense was able to find some rhythm, but outstanding stops by Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando prevented the Dynamo from gaining offensive momentum.

The Dynamo utilized a lineup similar to the one that saw a victory over the top team in the West, the Vancouver Whitecaps, as Giles Barnes, Erick Torres, and Will Bruin were all featured in the offense. Alex Lima was injured in training and Luis Garrido injured his hamstring with the Honduran National Team so Nathan Sturgis stepped into the holding midfield role. DaMarcus Beasley also sat out while he nursed a calf strain which gave room for AJ Cochran to start at left back - a position he played in the Dynamo 3-0 win over the LA Galaxy.

Coyle's Starting XI against Real Salt Lake

This is the first meeting between the Dynamo and the Union this year and both teams remain playoff hopeful - or in the Dynamo's case, playoff desperate, as both teams sit outside of the playoff picture in their respective conferences.

The Dynamo hope to get players back in the fold as central midfielder Luis Garrido has returned to training along with defender Kofi Sarkodie. The two could provide much needed defensive support which was lacking in last week's match against Real Salt Lake.  The Dynamo are still hopeful about versatile midfielder (and left back) Alex Lima and left back DaMarcus Beasley.

Looking at the matchup against the Union the Dynamo will need to regain their composure in the back and find their scoring touch on the road which has been difficult to come by this season. Will Bruin will need to be a handful and the back line will have to do without central defender Raul Rodriguez who will be serving his yellow card accumulation suspension.

So how do you lineup your squad? Do you play another offense heavy formation that features Barnes, Cubo, and Bruin? Or do you balance things out to prevent another defensive meltdown? Let us know how you'd pick your starting group for the Dynamo and spark the conversation in the comments about your selections.