Houston Dynamo Faceoff Against the Philadelphia Union to Kickoff 2011 MLS Season

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2011 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS As the Houston Dynamo prepare to kickoff their final season at Robertson Stadium, the question among fans (and media alike) is if they can return to the form that brought them two consecutive MLB Cups.

Their first test of 2011 will be against the Philadelphia Union, a team that beat Houston in the first game ever between the two teams; 3-2 on May 29, 2010 in Houston.

In their second match, they battled to a 1-1 tie on Oct. 2.

The Dynamo will have a younger look this season, with 40% of the squad yet to play in an official game.

Against the Union, the Dynamo will start Tally Hall, with Jason Garey and Will Bruin slated to start at the forward position.

On defense, head coach Dominic Kinnear will go with Hunter Freeman, Bobby Boswell, Jermaine Taylor, and Andre Hainault.

Rounding out the starting line up against the Union will be Corey Ashe, Geoff Cameron, Lovel Palmer, and captain Brad Davis at midfield.

The Union will counter with captain Faryd Mondragon in goal while Carlos Ruiz and Sebastien Le Topux filling the forward spots.

Kyle Nakazawa, Brian Carroll, Stefani Miglioranzi and Justin Mapp will start at midfield.

On defense, Carlos Valdes, Jordan Harvey, Sheanon Williams, and Danny Califf will start.

For the Dynamo, midfielder Colin Clark is unavailable with an injured left knee. Forward Brian Ching is listed as doubtful.

Union defender Juan Diego Gonzalez is listed as questionable with a left hip flexor strain.