Team eager to be on field after setback

The stink of Sunday’s second half collapse still lingers with the Dynamo. A long flight home from Portland did not help, but all they can think about is playing more soccer.

Luckily for them, they get to do that sooner rather than later.

The Dynamo will play two home games this week, with the first coming Wednesday against Sporting Kansas City in the U.S. Open Cup’s Round of 16. When the match kicks off at 6 p.m., the Dynamo hope to fully leave the weekend’s 3-2 loss behind.

The Dynamo led by two goals at halftime before conceding two penalty kicks in the final 10 minutes, turning

three points into zero.

“Any time something like that happens, it is good to get back on the field,” coach Wade Barrett said.

The Dynamo remain at the bottom of the Western Conference standings but are on even footing with the other teams still alive in the U.S. Open Cup.

While the team is happy to get back to the pitch so quickly, Barrett must be careful with the way he manages the lineup since the Dynamo also have a league game Saturday.

Defenders Agus Garcia and Sheanon Williams and midfielders Leonel Miranda and David Rocha were unused substitutes Sunday in Portland and are likely to start Wednesday.

Forward Mauro Manotas, who started the game against San Antonio FC and on Sunday subbed on in the 84th minute, also is likely to start. Cristian Maidana is another likely starter.

Those most likely not to play Wednesday are midfielders Ricardo Clark and Andrew Wenger, who have started every MLS game this season.

“We’ll use a fresh lineup,” Barrett said. “We also have to keep in mind we have a league game on Saturday. There has to be freshness in both teams. I’ll make sure I put out a group that is fresh and ready and capable of going and getting three points.”

This is the second year in a row the Dynamo and Sporting Kansas City have meet in the U.S. Open Cup. The Dynamo lost last year’s quarterfinal meeting 3-1.

“It is an opponent we know really well,” Barrett said. “They always bring out the best in the group. It has always been a good competition between the teams. It is in a tournament where the winner goes on so there is a little more at stake.”