F: Dominic Oduro
F: Cam Weaver
LM: Brian Mullan
CAM: Lovel Palmer
RM: Corey Ashe
CDM: Anthony Obodai
D: Mike Chabala
D: Ryan Cochrane
D: Bobby Boswell
D: Andrew Hainault
GK: Tally Hall
Bench: Tyler Deric (GK), Brian Ching, Richard Mulrooney, Brad Davis, Francisco Navas Cobo, Geoff Cameron
Not Included: Ngwenya (suspension), Cruz (suspension), Serioux (injury), Onstad (injury)
While this may not be Houston’s ideal starting line-up, it certainly is the best the team can muster right now. The return of Geoff Cameron is great, but it should be expected that the coaching staff will ease him into competitive play. I would expect him to see 30 or so minutes towards the end of the match, regardless of the scoreline. Beyond that, starting Corey Ashe on the wing is a good move for a few reasons; it leaves Brian Mullan with the option of moving inside when needed or pushing up in support of the attack. Richard Mulrooney can be subbed on as either a defender or a center-defensive midfielder, meaning the Dynamo could bring out a defender and put Mulrooney in the midfield, switching to a 3-5-2. Regardless of all of this, I think tonight’s starting XI proves that the Dynamo are taking this match seriously and want to win this tournament.