D.C. United's two biggest offseason acquisitions will play together for the first time since May 14, as Charlie Davies and Dax McCarty make their return to the Black-and-Red starting XI tonight against the Houston Dynamo. Davies managed just 34 minutes against the Colorado Rapids back in May before leaving the game with a hamstring strain. The injury forced the striker to miss United's 3-2 win at Portland over Memorial Day weekend, but Davies made appearances as a second-half substitute in each of United's last three games. McCarty went the full 90 minutes in the 1-1 draw, but missed the next two games with a groin strain suffered in training. McCarty has played as a substitute in each of United's last two games. Those are the only two changes that Ben Olsen has made from the starting XI that drew 1-1 against Real Salt Lake last Saturday.
For Houston, Dominic Kinnear makes five changes from the squad that lost 2-0 at home to Columbus last weekend. Kofi Sarkodie and Jermaine Taylor replace Bobby Boswell and Hunter Freeman in defense, while Danny Cruz and Je-Vaughn Watson replace Colin Clark and the suspended Lovel Palmer in midfield. Brian Ching makes just his second start of the season, partnering rookie Will Bruin up top.
Full D.C. United Starting Lineup: Bill Hamid (GK), Jed Zayner, Ethan White, Perry Kitchen, Daniel Woolard, Andy Najar, Clyde Simms, Dax McCarty, Chris Pontius, Josh Wolff (Captain), Charlie Davies.
Available D.C. United Substitutes: Steve Cronin (GK), Chris Korb, Brandon Barklage, Conor Shanosky, Stephen King, Fred, Blake Brettschneider.
Full Houston Dynamo Starting Lineup: Tally Hall (GK), Kofi Sarkodie, Jermaine Taylor, Andre Hainault, Corey Ashe, Danny Cruz, Je-Vaughn Watson, Geoff Cameron, Brad Davis, Brian Ching (Captain), Will Bruin.
Available Houston Dynamo Substitutes: Tyler Deric (GK), Bobby Boswell, Mike Chabala, Hunter Freeman, Colin Clark, Jason Garey, Cam Weaver.