Preseason Scouting Report: Real Salt Lake vs. Houston Dynamo

After a lackluster showing against Sporting KC, RSL will take on the Houston Dynamo on Wednesday in the continuation of the Tuscon Sun Cup.

Let’s take a look at the Houston Dynamo. First the Dynamo is coming off of a 1-1 draw against the New York Red Bulls. During the match Memo Rodriguez scored for the Dynamo.

Earlier that day, they played RSL in a 45 minute scrimmage, and RSL won 1-0 on a Maikel Chang goal. Because a lot of RSL’s new players were playing against the Dynamo, there weren’t the wholesale lineup changes we were expecting during the RSL and Sporting KC match.

The RSL players who played against the Dynamo included: Andrew Putna; Alvin Jones, Erik Holt, Taylor Peay, Ashtone Morgan; Everton Luiz, Nick Besler; Douglas Martinez, Pablo Ruiz, Maikel Chang and Giuseppe Rossi.

Houston’s roster now stands as:

Goalkeepers: Michael Nelson, Cody Cropper, and Marko Maric

Defenders: Maynor Figueroa, Michale Nelson, Kyle Adams, Jose Bizama, Alejandro Fuenmayor, Sam Junqua, Adam Lundkvist, Eric McCue, Kiki Struna, Zarek Valentin

Midfielders: Darwin Ceren, Boniek Garcia, Thomas Martinez, Tommy McNamara, Marcelo Palomino, Memo Rodriguez, Matias Vera

Forwards: Alberth Elis, Niko Hansen, Mauro Manotas, Ronaldo Pena, Darwin Quintero, Christian Ramirez, Michael Salazar

The Houston Dynamo have been practicing a 4-3-3 formation, and their new head coach Tab Ramos has discussed this formation for the team.Will we see that again on Wednesday?

The Houston Dynamo did not really bolster their midfield during the off season, so expect about the same as we saw last year. Look to see time for Darwin Quintero and Marko Maric as they were the bigger off-season acquisitions besides head coach Tab Ramos.

The Dynamo should have a good attack in 2020, so look to see how Mauro Manotas, Darwin Quintero, and Albert Elis gel in the front. There is also the ability for Christian Ramirez to find time up front. Yep, that same Ramirez that RSL swung and missed on.

So let’s hope that Justen Glad is back in his normal position and that Aaron Herrera can lock down the right side, instead of being played out of position.

Three things to watch with the Dynamo:

1. New coach and system, will they have the kinks worked out and look sharp or is the learning curve going to extend into the season?

2. New offensive weapons, but can the midfield consistently connect?

3. Bright new keeper, but how will he work with the back line that remains mostly unchanged?