Pick the Houston Dynamo Lineup against the Vancouver Whitecaps

The Houston Dynamo are searching for answers as they've managed just one win in the previous 8 MLS regular season games which came against the Philadelphia Union. The problem for the club hasn't been the goals they've allowed as the defense has actually been among the best in the league lately, but rather the offense's inability to finish the chances their given. Dynamo players aren't just taking poor shots, but players aren't supporting the offense and have elected to put more effort on the defensive side of the ball. Now that the Dynamo are out of the US Open Cup the team will need to take more chances going up the pitch if they want to move up the table.

Personnel wise, the Dynamo will once again be without their first choice goalkeeper in Tyler Deric along with designated player defender DaMarcus Beasley. That leaves Joe Willis as the man in goal who has performed pretty well in Deric's absence. For Beasley, there are a few replacement options including Sheanon Williams or Abdoulie Mansally. Despite the defense playing very well lately, David Horst has struggled the last few games. Against the LA Galaxy he handled a ball that led to a penalty kick and was caught not watching the run of Steven Gerrard which led to the game's only goal. Although it's unlikely for Horst to not get the start, if Barrett decides to go in another direction, he'll turn to Spanish center back Agus.

Of course the real problem the Dynamo have had has been their scoring. The formation and personnel seem less the problem than tactics, but the team could use a bit of a lineup shakeup. Will Bruin didn't see action against the Galaxy and the team could use his holdup play and finishing. Andrew Wenger was exhausted after playing in our midweek game against FC Dallas in the US Open Cup as he put it all out on the field and Giles Barnes and Mauro Manotas both played most of the game which leads to heavy legs after such a short turnaround.

My Starting Lineup

This is the squad I most want to see the Dynamo roll out against the Whitecaps. It allows the forwards to play off each other, something that has been sorely missing since the first few Dynamo games of the season. Defensively I've taken Jalil Anibaba out of the lineup in favor of Abdoulie Mansally, a player very similar to Beasley, and Sheanon Williams.

These were just my choices, but there are plenty of options available by shifting formations and personnel around. How do you want to see the Dynamo lineup? Let us know below and feel free to share your starting squad in the comments below.