Pick the Houston Dynamo Lineup vs. the Colorado Rapids

The Houston Dynamo are back in action this weekend following a brief break for international soccer. The Dynamo are off to a good start in the 2019 season with 2 wins and a draw which has them with the 3^rd best record in the Western Conference. Their good start is more remarkable as they’ve done it with CONCACAF Champions League overlapping part of the early schedule. After getting eliminated by Tigres UANL, the Dynamo no longer have to manage difficult double game weeks and can keep their attention on the MLS regular season and their next opponent the Colorado Rapids.

Even with a little bit of rest due to the international break, the Dynamo are struggling with a few injuries notably to Juan David Cabezas, but also DaMarcus Beasley recently underwent surgery and will be out 4-6 weeks. Beasley has yet to feature for the Dynamo in the regular season, but has played in Champions League.

Up top for Wilmer Cabrera’s squad we can expect an important trio that is healthy in Romell Quioto, Alberth Elis, and Mauro Manotas. Manotas and Elis have both shown up so far this year with Manotas grabbing a pair of goals in 3 games with an assist and Elis getting a goal and a couple of assists (which means Quioto is due his soon). These three should do well against a Rapids side that’s allowed 8 goals so far, the third most in the league.

In the midfield, Tomás Martínez should be expected to start in the attacking most role. He’s missed some time this season after taking several knocks against Real Salt Lake in the season opener, but a little time off should have him well rested. Behind him, without Juan David Cabezas, who is expecting to get some playing time with the Rio Grande Valley FC Toros after traveling with them, Cabrera has deployed Matías Vera and Oscar Boniek García so look for those two. Cabrera could play Darwin Cerén over Boniek, but I think the veteran keeps his starting spot until Cabezas returns.

Defensively, without Beasley, look for Adam Lundqvist to start again at left back. Maynor Figueroa is listed on the Injury Report as questionable so I think Cabrera takes it easy on the 35 year old and starts Kiki Struna and Alejandro Fuenmayor in central defense. At right back, A.J. DeLaGarza should be ready to go with Joe Willis returning in goal.

My Projected Starting Lineup:

So who do you want to see starting against the Colorado Rapids in the Dynamo’s first game on the road? Let us know and please share your selections in the comment section below.