Pick the Houston Dynamo Starting XI against the Seattle Sounders

The Houston Dynamo were once again a tour de force at home as the bested Real Salt Lake earlier this week 5-1 to remain unbeaten at BBVA Compass Stadium. In their next fixture they’ll look to build upon that win along with their road draw at FC Dallas, their first road point of the year, when they visit the reigning MLS Champions the Seattle Sounders. The Dynamo have already faced Seattle once this year in their home opener and came away with a 2-1 win in Houston. With both sides having played earlier this week and with call-ups to national teams managers will need to be careful with their lineup selections to avoid injuries.

Head Coach Wilmer Cabrera used nearly the same lineup against Real Salt Lake that he had against FC Dallas which took place only a few days prior. The lone change was Dylan Remick filling in at left back while DaMarcus Beasley trained with the US National Team. Other players such as Alberth Elis, Oscar Boniek Garcia, Romell Quioto, and Adolfo Machado have also been called up to the Honduran and Panamanian National Teams respectively, but all will be available for the game. Currently there is no news on the injury status of Romell Quioto, but if he is leaving with the Honduran National Team, then I would think he at least dresses for this one. Likely not a starter, but could make an appearance off the bench.

With the number of minutes for players pretty high I think we see a few changes to the starting XI. With Cubo Torres going the full 90 at FCD and against RSL, I think he will be on the bench leaving Mauro Manotas to start at center forward. Alberth Elis should start at RW and I would anticipate Andrew Wenger to go at LW.

The midfield is a bit trickier to figure out with the injury to Eric Alexander, but I would think that the early substitution to Alex gets him in the lineup. Ricardo Clark went the full 90 in both games as well so I would think Oscar Boniek Garcia takes his place which leaves Juan David Cabezas to start in the middle of the field unless Cabrera wants to start Joseph Holland or Memo Rodriguez, but I think that’s not too likely.

I think the defense should remain the same as the one that we saw against Real Salt Lake. Defenses, especially central defenses, seldom change with DGW’s so expect Dylan Remick (LB), Leonardo and Adolfo Machado (CB), and A. J. DeLaGarza (RB) to start.

Lastly, Tyler Deric has been spectacular in goal in his last 2 starts so he definitely has done enough to try and earn back the starting goalkeeper spot with a strong performance in Seattle.

The Houston Dynamo were able to get one point out of their last three outings all of which were on the road. The last game, a 0-0 draw on the road to in-state rivals FC Dallas was their first road point of the season, but the squad won’t have much time to rejoice as they return home to BBVA Compass

My Projected Starting Lineup

So who do you want to see lineup against the Seattle Sounders? Let us know and feel free to share your choices in the comments section below!