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Houston Dynamo Game Notes - Dynamo vs. Seattle, March 4

March 1, 2017 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Houston Dynamo FC News Release


Houston Dynamo Game Notes - Game 1 vs. Seattle

The Houston Dynamo open their 2017 campaign at home Saturday evening against the defending MLS Cup champion Seattle Sounders FC. For the Dynamo, "new" is the word of the day, while Seattle will begin their title defense as they look to become the first club to repeat as league champion since the LA Galaxy did so in 2011 and 2012.

Please take a moment to read through the attached Game Notes, which include information about what to watch for on Saturday night, what a win would mean for the Dynamo, Houston-Seattle series history, player bios and much more.

2017 GAME NOTES GAME 1 @HoustonDynamo

HOUSTON DYNAMO (0-0-0; 0 pts.) vs. SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC (0-0-0, 0 pts.) Saturday, March 4, 2017 - 7:30 p.m. CST - BBVA Compass Stadium (22,000) - Houston, Texas

DYNAMO HOST DEFENDING CHAMPS TO OPEN 2017 SEASON The Houston Dynamo open their 2017 campaign at home Saturday evening against the defending MLS Cup champion Seattle Sounders FC. For the Dynamo, "new" is the word of the day, while Seattle will begin their title defense as they look to become the first club to repeat as league champion since the LA Galaxy did so in 2011 and 2012.

The new-look Dynamo take the field under a new head coach, as the Wilmer Cabrera era begins in Houston. Since being introduced as the third full-time head coach in club history on October 28, 2016, Cabrera has worked with General Manager and Vice President Matt Jordan to reshape the roster. Since mid-December, Cabrera and Jordan have brought in eight new veteran players, including five who previous plied their trades outside of Major League Soccer.

As many as seven of those new faces could feature in the Starting XI Saturday night, led by Honduran wingers Romell Quioto and Alberth Elis. Quioto, 25, joined the Dynamo on a transfer from CD Olimpia in Honduras, where he scored 36 goals in 78 appearances over three years. He also has four goals in 27 caps for the Honduran national team. Elis, 21, joined the club as a Young Designated Player on loan from CF Monterrey in Mexico. He has three goals in 15 appearances with Los Catrachos, and won the Golden Boot at the 2015 CONCACAF Men's Olympic Qualifying Championship with four goals, including a brace against the United States in the semifinal.

Midfielder Juan David Cabezas joined the Dynamo on loan from Deportivo Cali in his native Colombia, and is expected to man the holding midfield role in front of the back line. The 25-year-old brings eight years of professional experience and 170 career appearances at the senior level, with 19 goals to his credit.

Three new faces could feature in the starting lineup in the back, with a pair of former LA Galaxy stalwarts - A.J. DeLaGarza and Leonardo - and Panamanian international Adolfo Machado joining legendary U.S. international DaMarcus Beasley in defense. Joe Willis and Tyler Deric have been locked in a tight competition for the starting goalkeeper job, and the Dynamo will be in good hands regardless of who takes the field on Saturday night between the sticks.

For Seattle, Saturday night marks their first step toward defending their MLS Cup championship. Led by MF Nicolas Lodeiro, last year's MLS Newcomer of the Year, and FW Jordan Morris, the 2016 MLS Rookie of the Year, the Sounders boast one of the league's most fearsome attacking units. Native Texan Clint Dempsey returned to training this preseason after missing time due to a heart condition late last year, and the US Men's National Team star will hope to make a statement in his home state.

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