The Dynamo will be without starting right back Richard Mulrooney when they face the New York Red Bulls Saturday night at Giants Stadium.
Mulrooney, one of four Dynamo players to play every minute of all nine competitive games so far this year, fractured his left cheekbone in a practice collision on Tuesday. He had surgery Tuesday night, and he is expected to return to training, with a protective mask, in 2-4 weeks.
The injury means three Dynamo defenders - Mulrooney, left back Wade Barrett (gastrocnemius strain), and center back Eddie Robinson (off-season knee surgery) - are expected to be unavailable for Saturday. With their day off scheduled for Wednesday, the Dynamo have not yet indicated who will replace Mulrooney in the lineup, although defenders Mike Chabala, Julius James, and Craig Waibel are likely the primary options.
Despite the injuries at the back, the Dynamo have put together a 403-minute scoreless streak and are tied for second place in MLS in goals against, with only five goals allowed in seven games. Second-year player Geoff Cameron, primarily a midfielder, has been filling in for Robinson, while 22-year-old Andrew Hainault has stepped in for Barrett in the last two games. That leaves Bobby Boswell, now in his second year with the Dynamo, as the only holdover from last year's back line.
Mulrooney, in his third year with the Dynamo, has been a major contributor to Houston's success both offensively and defensively. As Houston's primary attacking option out of the back, Mulrooney had a hand in the buildup of the Dynamo's first four goals of the season.
After Saturday's game, the Dynamo close out the month of May with home games against San Jose and Toronto FC on May 23 and May 30, respectively. The Dynamo also face three games in the first two weeks of June, including contests against unbeaten Chicago (June 5) and league leader Chivas USA (June 10).
