The Dynamo host English giants Manchester City FC on Thursday in the BBVA Compass Dynamo Charities Cup (TICKETS). Man City finished second in the just-completed English Premier League season (24-7-7; 79 points) and enjoyed the best goal difference in the league (+45). City will bring nearly all of its big stars to Houston on Thursday, with dozens of international players. Here is a look at the forwards who will take the field for manager Manuel Pellegrini on Thursday in Houston.
Manchester City roster breakdown – forwards:
Wilfried Bony: The Ivory Coast international transferred from Swansea City to Manchester City in January for a rumored $38 million transfer fee after he scored 25 goals in 54 Premier League games. The 26-year-old has been a constant target in the transfer window, beginning with summer 2013, when Swansea City spent a then-Welsh record $18 million to buy the coveted striker from Dutch club Vitesse. Bony scored twice for Ivory Coast at the 2014 World Cup, with equalizing goals against Japan and Greece. The striker has also appeared in three Africa Cup of Nations.
Edin Dzeko: The captain of the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team, Dzeko is also his nation’s all-time scorer, with 41 goals in 71 appearances, including a goal against Iran at the 2014 World Cup. Dzeko scored the equalizing goal in the 92nd minute moments before Sergio Aguero’s winner as Manchester City completed a stunning win over QPR on the final day of the 2011-12 season to win the EPL title. The 29-year-old had a prolific scoring rate with Wolfsburg in the German Bundesliga, with 66 goals in 111 games, including 26 in the the 2008-09 season, before City bought him for $41 million in January 2011. The Bosnian has been a steady scorer in the Premier League, with 50 goals in 130 appearances, including 16 in the 2013-14 season.
Stevan Jovetić: The 25-year-old striker starred at Fiorentina in Italy’s Serie A, with 27 goals in 58 league games from 2011-2013 before signing with Man City for $34 million in July 2013 after five seasons in Serie A. The forward was an original member of the Montenegro national team ahead of 2010 World Cup qualifying and has 13 goals in 35 appearances for his country.
