Pick the Houston Dynamo Lineup vs. LAFC

The Houston Dynamo are coming off of a disappointing 2-3 loss on the road to FC Cincinnati. Today they’re back at home facing off against a club that currently sits at the very top of Major League Soccer, LAFC. This year has had its ups and downs for the Dynamo with the club recording its best start in franchise history followed by failing to win a regular season game in June. Things had looked improved after a dominant 4-0 win over the New York Red Bulls, but more conservative road tactics resulted in the loss to Cincinnati. A win over the visiting LAFC side will go a long way to repairing the club’s confidence, and a lot of that will depend on who Head Coach Wilmer Cabrera starts.

Given the club’s current skid, you would have to think that Cabrera goes all out with this one – something he tends to do for home matches. Up top we should see our threatening trio of Romell Quioto, Mauro Manotas, and Alberth Elis. I do not think any other lineup would be acceptable barring a sudden injury.

In the midfield we should see Tomás Martínez as the central attacking midfielder. Martínez was rested against Cincy so he should be fresh and ready to go as the team’s number 10. Behind him it’s a little trickier to predict, but I think we’ll see Matías Vera and Oscar Boniek García. We’ve seen Juan David Cabezas play over Boniek, but to somewhat mixed performances so I think Cabrera sticks with what has worked pretty well this season in Vera and Boniek. Another possibility is Darwin Cerén who is somewhat of a defensive liability, but his ability to play long balls to Quioto and Elis has proven to be very effective. However, I think if his services are needed, they’ll be available off the bench.

Along the back line we should see Maynor Figueroa and Kiki Struna back together. Figueroa missed the game against Cincinnati due to a straight red card he received against RBNY so he should be fresh and ready. DaMarcus Beasley is still listed on the injury report as QUESTIONABLE, but I think Cabrera takes it easy with the USMNT legend and starts Adam Lundqvist at left back instead. At right back the Dynamo recently signed Jose Bizama, but he likely won’t be available just yet. Cabrera will want at least a few training sessions in before letting him get the start so expect A.J. DeLaGarza to hold down his position for now with Joe Willis in goal.

My Projected Starting Lineup:

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