Pick the Houston Dynamo Lineup vs. Seattle Sounders FC

The Houston Dynamo are coming off a much needed regular season win on the road against Toronto FC, but failed to advance in their midweek Leagues Cup game over Club América whom they lost to on penalties. This week they’re back in league action and face a Western Conference foe in the Seattle Sounders who currently sit in third overall in the West, five points ahead of the eighth placed Dynamo.

In the midweek Leagues Cup match, Head Coach Wilmer Cabrera largely looked to his bench for his lineup and even though the match was close, the Dynamo just missed out on the next round of the competition. This matchup against the Sounders should be considered a big game for Cabrera so we should anticipate a strong starting XI.

Up top we should see the combination of Romell Quioto, Mauro Manotas, and Alberth Elis. Elis did go the full 90 plus penalties against Club América, but he was rested due to his suspension following a poor decision against Atlanta United FC prior to the match so he could be good to go. Quioto meanwhile only went 45 minutes against Club América while Manotas was rested.

In the midfield we should expect to see the rested Tomás Martínez. Martínez, who wasn’t even a part of the Leagues Cup roster by the Dynamo, got the night off and should be ready to see minutes as the team’s center attacking midfielder. Martínez did well on the wing against Toronto, but we should expect him to return to his more natural role with Elis rejoining the group. Behind him, given the lineup we saw against Club América, we can just about expect Matías Vera and Oscar Boniek García since neither got minutes in the midweek game.

Defensively, even though left back DaMarcus Beasley recently prove he can still perform at a high level given his age, he may sit out against Seattle to not increase his minutes too much which will mean Adam Lundqvist will step in – a capable backup. In central defense we should see a return to our full strength lineup with Maynor Figueroa and Kiki Struna. Right back has been an issue for Houston lately, but until Jose Bizama is integrated into the squad we should expect A.J. DeLaGarza as the regular number 1 at the position with Joe Willis in goal.

My Projected Starting Lineup:

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