CONCACAF Champions League Edition: Pick the Dynamo Lineup vs. Tigres UANL

The Houston Dynamo advanced to the Quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions League after wins in both legs against Guatemalan side C.D. Guastatoya. In their next round they’ll be matched up against Tigres UANL from Liga MX. In the first game at BBVA Compass Stadium this Tuesday, the Dynamo will want to do well to have an advantage going into the next leg in the hostile Estadio Universitario so we can expect a strong starting lineup by Head Coach Wilmer Cabrera.

The MLS regular season opened up this past Saturday and the Houston Dynamo hosted Real Salt Lake which battled out to a 1-1 draw. In my Pick the Lineup write up I suggested a more conservative lineup with many bench players getting the start over some regulars so that they can be fresh for their clash with Tigres. Clearly Wilmer Cabrera and I did not see eye to eye on this one as he fielded a mostly first team starting XI which included many players that went 90 minutes earlier in the week from the final Guastatoya match. That being said, we should expect a strong lineup even with tired legs.

Up top I would be surprised if we didn’t see our usual front three of Romell Quioto, Mauro Manotas, and Alberth Elis. Ronaldo Peña could get a start over one of them because of his suspension in the MLS regular season, but I still think we see our regular attacking trio.

The biggest question in the midfield lies with the availability of Juan David Cabezas. The 2017 team MVP has been resting because of discomfort in his leg and he has been training separately. It’s really tough to guess if he’s ready or not at this time, but I’m going to say he is. If he’s not we could see Darwin Cerén or Oscar Boniek García positioned next to Matías Vera as the more defensive oriented midfielders. Above them expect Tomás Martínez to start in his usual attacking midfield role.

Defensively several players were rested against RSL including DaMarcus Beasley, Kiki Struna, and A.J. DeLaGarza. I’d think Beasley returns to the left back spot with Struna and Maynor Figueroa partnering in central defense. A.J DeLaGarza should help restore some balance to the right back spot and Joe Willis will be in goal.

My Projected Starting Lineup:

So who do you think should start against Tigres and will Cabrera’s use of first teamers this past Saturday have an impact on the lineup or game? Let us know in the comment section below and please share your selections for your starting XI.