Pick the Houston Dynamo Lineup vs. the Chicago Fire

The Houston Dynamo are in desperate need of points after coming off a 1-0 loss at home against the Seattle Sounders last weekend. The loss was the second home L in a row as the Dynamo dipped to 9^th place in the Western Conference. With a majority of the season being played on the road, the Dynamo will need to take care of business at home and that starts with the Chicago Fire who visit BBVA Stadium this Saturday.

For Head Coach Wilmer Cabrera, he will now have a full and healthy roster at his disposal to put out a top notch starting XI. That includes getting back Alberth Elis who was shown a red card for making contact with the referee against Atlanta United FC and then was subsequently suspended an additional game. Romell Quioto, who was absent against the Sounders, should also be available. I’d predict that pair to start up top with Mauro Manotas leading the line at center forward.

The midfield is also pretty easy to predict with Tomás Martínez likely getting the start at the central attacking midfield spot and with Matías Vera and Oscar Boniek García behind him in deeper roles. Cabrera recently shifted to playing Tommy McNamara at the 10 with Tomás pushed out wide, but with the return of Elis and Quioto along with a week finally featuring just one game, Cabrera will likely go with what he has utilized for most of the season.

Defensively there are a few things to consider, but Maynor Figueroa and Kiki Struna in central defense should be the obvious no-brainer. Left back will either feature DaMarcus Beasley or Adam Lundqvist. Both have played very well this season, but I’m going to give the edge slightly to Beasley, but I could see either getting the go. Right back is a little tricky. Wilmer has shown his frustrations with A.J. DeLaGarza and has given Kevin Garcia minutes at times. He’s also taken AJ off mid-game to put on Garcia. The Dynamo do have reinforcements at the position with the newly signed José Bizama, however I think he’s unlikely to get starting minutes just yet. Instead I think we’ll see DeLaGarza get another try. Cabrera has also gone back and forth between goalkeepers Joe Willis and Tyler Deric recently. I think Willis gets the start this time, but it could go either way.

My Projected Starting Lineup:

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