The Houston Dynamo continue to pick up points where they should as they’re coming off a solid 2-0 win over Columbus Crew SC. The club currently sits in 5th place in the Western Conference with a record of 5-1-1 with a few games in hand to potentially move up the table. Their next test will be an old rival as FC Dallas comes down I-45 for the first game of the Texas Derby.
Houston’s had a number of injuries on the year, but the depth has largely come through. Up top Romell Quioto, who has missed time due to a right knee injury, could return, but likely to the bench with Memo Rodríguez slotting in as a quality replacement on the left wing. Mauro Manotas and Alberth Elis should be expected to start as the remaining forwards in Wilmer Cabrera’s formation.
In the midfield I’d anticipate Tomás Martínez starting as the attacking midfielder with Matías Vera behind him. Normally Juan David Cabezas would be a starter and even though he’s featured for the Dynamo along with the Rio Grande Valley FC Toros, Cabrera has not rushed him back into a starting role. Instead it has been Oscar Boniek García and the results have gone the Dynamo’s way most of the time. I think Cabrera stays cautious with JDC and starts Boniek again next to Vera.
Defensively, the Dynamo will still miss out on USMNT legend DaMarcus Beasley, but have a quality replacement in Adam Lundqvist at left back. The central defense has looked vastly improved from last season’s with Maynor Figueroa and Kiki Struna who helped earn the team’s first clean sheet last week. At right back we should expect A.J. DeLaGarza with Joe Willis in goal.
My Projected Starting Lineup:
So who do you want to see starting against FC Dallas? Let us know and please share your selections in the comment section below.