Pick the Houston Dynamo Lineup vs. Columbus Crew SC

The Houston Dynamo are coming off their toughest game of the season, a 1-2 loss on the road to the LA Galaxy which was their first time all season they were unable to come away with at least a point. This week they’ll take on Columbus Crew SC who sit at 5^th place in the Eastern Conference with 13 points. The Dynamo also have 13 points and occupy the 5^th position in the Western Conference, but did so in 3 fewer matches.

Houston’s depth has been tested early this season thanks to a few costly injuries and competing in CONCACAF Champions League. Mainstays such as DaMarcus Beasley, Juan David Cabezas, and recenly Romell Quioto have put the Front Office reinforcements to the test which has largely been a success. Some players such as Cabezas are also returning to health which is great news for Wilmer Cabrera.

Two of our forwards are definite starters against Crew SC and that’s Mauro Manotas at the center forward position with Alberth Elis to his right. The left wing spot has been a revolving door lately with several players getting the start this season. It’s arguably Romell Quioto’s spot to lose, but he’s remained sidelined with a right knee injury. Memo Rodríguez held the spot and has used his minutes to become the team’s leading goal scorer with 4 goals coming in 4 games. While he currently doesn’t appear on the injury report, he was on it last week with a left hamstring injury. Memo did come off the bench against the Galaxy, but hamstring injuries can be tricky so I’m going to say Marlon Hairston starts just as a precaution.

With Cabezas back in the mix and getting minutes off the bench, I think now is the time for him to reclaim his starting job over Oscar Boniek García who has done a good job in Cabezas’s place. Next to him we should expect Matías Vera with Tomás Martínez sitting in the attacking most midfield position.

The defensive back four should be pretty easy to predict: Adam Lundqvist at left back, Maynor Figueroa and Kiki Struna in central defense, and A.J. DeLaGarza at right back. AJ had an uncharacteristically poor night against the Galaxy as it could be argued that both goals were on him so he’ll be looking to rebound after that. In goal we should see Joe Willis who continues to hold down the #1 goalkeeper job.

My Projected Starting Lineup:

So who do you want to see starting against Columbus Crew SC? Let us know and please share your selections in the comment section below.