Pick the Starting Lineup: Houston Dynamo vs. Sporting Kansas City

The Houston Dynamo have dropped their last two games in a row most recently falling on the road to the Portland Timbers. The last regular season win for the Dynamo goes back to a 3-0 win over Minnesota United in early July. This time the Dynamo will go head-to-head with rivals Sporting Kansas City at BBVA Compass Stadium. Houston was victorious in their recent US Open Cup match, but SKC came out on top in their regular season meeting.

Tired legs have been an issue for Wilmer Cabrera and the Dynamo with so many players getting heavy minutes during a congested schedule. Last week Cabrera choose to rest in-form Mauro Manotas due to the extensive playing time he’s put in so he should be fresh to start against SKC. Next to him I’d peg Romell Quioto to start on the left wing. The right wing is a little tougher to predict. Usually the spot is Alberth Elis’s to lose, but given the minutes he’s put in for Houston plus he played a half in the MLS All-Star game Wednesday so it might be his turn to get rested. I’d think that Memo Rodríguez has earned the starting call should Elis not be chosen for the XI.

The midfield is a little easier to predict with Darwin Cerén returning from his one game suspension. Cerén should get the start in the deepest midfield spot with Juan David Cabezas still out. Oscar Boniek García has looked good the last few games providing a spark moving up the field. I think he’d start in a central midfield spot with Tomás Martínez above him.

Defensively, the team has some reinforcements with Alejandro Fuenmayor coming back from his suspension. He should partner with Adolfo Machado in central defense with DaMarcus Beasley and Andrew Wenger featuring as the left and right backs respectively.

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)

OUT: D – Philippe Senderos (right quadriceps 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 Sporting Kansas City.