The Houston Dynamo went into their home match against the San Jose Earthquakes coming off of two disappointing results: a road loss in New England and a blown 2-0 lead and home draw with Minnesota United FC. Wilmer Cabrera recognized the problems and switched the formation from a 4-3-3 to a 4-4-2 diamond, resulting in a comprehensive 2-0 victory over the Earthquakes.
He started two defensive midfielders for the first time — Eric Alexander and Juan David Cabezas — and he moved Boniek García back into midfield as a shuttler in the diamond.