Pick the Starting Lineup: Houston Dynamo vs. Real Salt Lake

The Houston Dynamo are back in action and currently sit on a four league game losing streak. The pressure is on and if any playoff push by Head Coach Wilmer Cabrera is to be made it needs to happen soon and might as well happen against Real Salt Lake this Saturday. The Dynamo have dealt with a lot of issues lately including injuries to key players, suspensions, poor officiating, a congested schedule, but a lot of the blame can also be blamed on tactics as well. At times the Dynamo try to defend leads by sitting deep, or by playing conservatively on the road which gives opponents chances to steal games from them. If Houston wants to find their rhythm then they’ll need to go back to their strength and that’s attacking.

Up top the Dynamo will still be without Alberth Elis, but they should find some success with Romell Quioto and Mauro Manotas. Next to them we could see Andrew Wenger, like we did against Columbus Crew SC, although his role was primarily defensive. If it isn’t Wenger or Memo Rodríguez we could finally see Ronaldo Peña get his first start in Orange.

In the midfield we should have some reinforcements back in the form of Darwin Cerén who should take on the role of the deepest positioned midfielder. Next to him I’d predict starts by Oscar Boniek García and Tomás Martínez who can help push the ball up the field to our forwards.

Defensively, the club may be missing DaMarcus Beasley. Beasley has missed out due to an injury, although he does not appear on the injury report. Adam Lundqvist has done well in his place and I think unless Beasley is 100%, Lundqvist gets the go at left back against RSL. In central defense the Dynamo will welcome back Alejandro Fuenmayor who I think will partner next to Philippe Senderos as they’ve played well together this season. At right back, with Wenger potentially starting higher up, we could see Cabrera play Adolfo Machado with Joe Willis in goal.

Injury Report

OUT: D - A.J. DeLaGarza (torn left ACL)

OUT: M - Juan David Cabezas (left quad injury)

OUT: D - Dylan Remick (concussion)*

OUT: F – Mac Steeves (left hip injury)

*Remick does not appear on the Injury Report, but is out for the season.

My Projected Starting Lineup

There are a ton of options, not to mention formations to play with so let us know who you think should be in the starting lineup against Real Salt Lake.