The Fire may have finally won a game with its 2-0 victory at D.C. United, but the lineup and new formation that coach Carlos de los Cobos employed for that game might not be the same for Saturday's home game against the Houston Dynamo.
De los Cobos, while pleased with the victory, wouldn't commit to keeping first-time starter Dasan Robinson at right back or using the 4-3-4-1 formation used for the first time against United.
``Maybe. It's possible, but I need to think about this,'' de los Cobos said following Tuesday's practice at Toyota Park.
The outside defenders continue to be in a state of flux. Tim Ward, Mike Banner, Krzysztof Krol, Deris Umanzor and Robinson all have had a chance to start on either the left or right side in the first four games. Ward started the first three games on the right, but didn't even make the trip to D.C. Robinson sat out Tuesday's workout, but de los Cobos had no problems with his work in the victory.
```He was very strong defending. He was always in the right position,'' de los Cobos said.
The midfield will likely remain the same for another week in part because the injured Logan Pause (knee) and John Thorrington (quadricep tear) still aren't ready to practice.
Up top de los Cobos went with one forward (Collins John) in his starting lineup at D.C., with Brian McBride coming off the bench. In the first three games de los Cobos used a 4-4-2 formation, largely because he felt his available personnel were more comfortable with it.
``One forward -- many teams around the world do that,'' he said. ``Offense doesn't depend on how many forwards you have but on how many players arrive in the box when you're attacking,'' he said.