Pick the Houston Dynamo lineup against the Portland Timbers

Houston Dynamo FC are hoping to go 2-0 and get their first road win of the year when they travel to the Providence Park to take on the Portland Timbers. Last week, the Dynamo looked the stronger side in their 2-1 win over the San Jose Earthquakes, but a wonder goal by Paul Marie made the game a lot tenser down the stretch.

The Timbers lost their first game of the year to the Vancouver Whitecaps who are playing their home games this season at RSL’s home venue, Rio Tinto Stadium due to travel restrictions during the pandemic. The Timbers will be glad to get back to their home grounds and will look to turn their season around following the 1-0 loss to the Whitecaps.

Tab Ramos will have at least one player back from injury in Maynor Figueroa. Last week there was a lot of confusion about the lineup selection with reports varying about the formation, but ultimately we were all shocked by Oscar Boniek García playing center back. While Boniek performed well, I think having a traditional center back in a back four will be better so Figueroa is likely to partner next to Tim Parker. Out wide I’d expect Zarek Valentin on the right and Adam Lunkvist on the left. Sam Junqua and Ethan Bartlow remain out with concussions.

In the midfield last week we saw Matías Vera, Memo Rodríguez, and Joe Corona and the partnership worked well. Memo did well to push into the attack with Joe Corona funneling long through passes up the field with accuracy. Vera meanwhile did well to cut off service to the forwards. I think we’ll see this group again because if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Similarly up top we should see the same group that was also dangerous. Maxi Urruti bagged a goal as the center forward and should’ve had another. Tyler Pasher was very effective on the left side of the wing and supplied Urruti with an assist. On the right side I’d expect Fafà Picault to stretch teams with his speed. In goal count on Marko Marić to be between the sticks.

My Projected Starting Lineup:

This is just the lineup that I think we’ll see, but what do you think we’ll see? What should the starting XI look like in the Dynamo’s first trip on the road? Let us know in the comments below!