Pick the Houston Dynamo Starting XI against the Vancouver Whitecaps

The Houston Dynamo are unbeaten in their last six games with three of those six coming on the road. In last week’s 3-0 home win over the San Jose Earthquakes, Wilmer Cabrera went back to a stronger starting XI after receiving some criticism in the previous week’s 0-0 draw against Real Salt Lake. Cabrera, who had previously benched Romell Quioto, Alberth Elis, and Cubo Torres in favor of Andrew Wenger, Memo Rodriguez, and Mauro Manotas, decided to go with Quioto, Elis, and Torres against the ‘Quakes. While Torres had a rough outing, Quioto and Elis flourished on the wings. Elis opened the scoring in the 21^st minute and assisted on the 2^nd goal in the 86^th minute. Quioto was also dangerous and nearly found himself on the score sheet a number of times. While the Dynamo were without their maestro Alex, who was serving a suspension for seeing two yellow cards, Oscar Boniek Garcia slipped into the role well. Cabrera also managed this game expertly as he successfully implemented new designated player Tomas Martinez. Vicente Sanchez would go on to produce a goal and an assist late in this game with Mauro Manotas bringing energy off the bench when he came on for Cubo which helped him score the final goal in the dying minutes of stoppage time.

This week the Dynamo will travel to BC Place in Vancouver, BC in Canada. The Dynamo typically do not travel well in Canada and have a 5-0-1 record overall in Vancouver. The Whitecaps currently sit in the 7^th spot in the Western Conference – just outside the final playoff spot. Having missed out on the playoffs last year, Carl Robinson’s squad will do their best to climb up the table.

The Dynamo will be without Alberth Elis as he picked up a yellow card against the Earthquakes last week and will be forced to sit due to yellow card accumulation. I would anticipate a forward group of Romell Quioto, Cubo Torres, and Mauro Manotas with Elis missing out.

In the midfield, Alex will return for selection and I believe he gets the start in his usual spot. Although I should caution Alex some as he was sent off last year in Vancouver following a bizarre incident with Pedro Morales. Show passion, but some restraint. Next to him should be Juan David Cabezas and Ricardo Clark. Tomas Martinez will likely make another appearance off the bench in what will be his first road trip with the Dynamo.

Along the back I’d expect our usual back four of DaMarcus Beasley at LB, Leonardo and Adolfo Machado at CB, and A. J. DeLaGarza at RB with Tyler Deric in goal behind them.

My Projected Starting Lineup

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