Dynamo must keep scoring despite key absences

Houston Dynamo forward Andrew Wenger (11) dribbles pass a tackle by Sporting Kansas City midfielder Jimmy Medranda (94) during the first half of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cut Round of 16 game at BBVA Compass Stadium Wednesday, June 28, 2017, in Houston. ( Yi-Chin Lee / Houston Chronicle ) less Houston Dynamo forward Andrew Wenger (11) dribbles pass a tackle by Sporting Kansas City midfielder Jimmy Medranda (94) during the first half of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cut Round of 16 game at BBVA Compass ... more Photo: Yi-Chin Lee, Staff Photo: Yi-Chin Lee, Staff Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Dynamo must keep scoring despite key absences 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

F resh off scoring his first goal of the season, Dynamo forward Andrew Wenger was asked what he was going to do for an encore.

It's simple, he said. He hopes the next act is the same as the first.

The Dynamo likely will play their next two games without three of their top four goal scorers. Erick Torres, who is second in MLS with 12 goals, has joined Mexico for the Gold Cup. Alberth Elis and Romell Quioto are with Honduras.

Though he has not scored this season, attacking midfielder Boniek Garcia is with Honduras, too. He had worked his way into the starting lineup. All of them could miss as many as three Dynamo games.

Highlights

That trio of Elis, Quioto and Torres has scored 22 of the Dynamo's Western Conference-leading 34 goals, but the games go on without them. Their absences will give Wenger an opportunity to play a starring role.

Wenger doesn't have the speed and dynamism of Quioto and Elis. He doesn't have the true hold-up qualities possessed by Torres. That does not mean he is not capable of playing effectively. The former No. 1 overall pick has 20 goals and 12 assists in 150 career appearances since 2012.

"Personally, I just hope I can come in and fill their shoes and do what I do," Wenger said after scoring in the first minute of the Dynamo's June 5 win over Montreal. "I'm not any of those players, but if we can continue to win games, that's the same result. That's what everyone here has to do because no matter who's here we have to win games because we want to be where we want to be at the end of the year."

The goal-scoring burden will not fall solely on Wenger. Mauro Manotas, who along with Wenger led the Dynamo with six goals last season, is third on the team with five goals this year. Manotas is likely to start at striker in the 4-3-3 formation with Wenger on one wing.

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The other starting winger could be veteran Vicente Sanchez or rising 22-year old Memo Rodriguez. Rodriguez broke through with his first MLS goal in the win over Montreal, and coach Wilmer Cabrera has sung his praises.

Cabrera has been outspoken about every player needing to be ready to play no matter how close they are to the regular starting lineup. Injuries, suspensions and international absences occur throughout the season. If the team wants to be consistent, every player needs to be up to the task.

Not being at full strength, Cabrera says, is not an excuse for losing.

"(I expect the other players to) continue that dynamic, that they're hungry to score goals, that they create possibilities and that they're dangerous," Cabrera said. "I expect no less of what they have done today and what they're doing so far. That's why they're part of the team. That's why they've been pushing hard and playing a lot of minutes."

The upcoming task carries a little more pressure than usual since the next two games are on the road. The Dynamo are 0-7-2 away from home this season, and although several of the more recent performances have been higher quality, they have not equated to victories.

If the Dynamo are going to make the playoffs and get a favorable seed, they must get points on the road. Their opportunity to do so never has been greater than it will be in the next two games when they face Minnesota United FC and D.C. United. Both teams are in last place in their respective conferences.

Breaking through without Elis, Quioto and Torres will be difficult. It is an opportunity for those who have not scored as many goals to give the Dynamo a boost when many critics may not expect it.

"It's not a secret that our teammates are very important for this group. They give a lot," Manotas said. "However, the ones that will be here are ready to step in. They are also aware that if they don't perform well, the ones coming up are ready to put everything out. Hopefully in the future we have something good coming up."