(Sports Network) - FC Dallas coach Schellas Hyndman has struggled to find the right mix defensively, using 10 different combinations of defenders in the last 12 games, and as a result his team is tied for the fewest wins in MLS.

Hyndman continued to tinker with the defense last week, and although the result was a 3-1 loss to the Western Conference leading Houston Dynamo, he may finally have discovered a regular unit.

United States under-20 national team captain Kyle Davies made his MLS debut in central defense and played well alongside Pablo Ricchetti.

"I thought Kyle did great," Hyndman said. "I think any coach would be nervous about how a player will do in their first game. He's a young player. ... He gives us a bright spot.

"We're sitting with six injured players and three of those are center backs. It's nice to see a young player get a chance to do a good job."

Dallas (2-7-4) is just one point off the bottom of the Western Conference - and the worst record in MLS - and faces another test Saturday against defending the MLS Cup champion Columbus Crew (4-2-7).

With Davies, acquired from Real Salt Lake earlier this season, in the middle, U.S. national Drew Moor moved to fullback and scored a goal in a more offensive role last week.

Hyndman could deploy Davies and Moor in the same back line Saturday and Dallas could finally find some consistency in a season full of injuries and changes.

"You always want to build continuity between a core group of guys back there, but that's how it is," Dallas goalkeeper Ray Burse said. "You've got to deal with it."

Despite its overall record, Dallas was playing well before the loss to Houston. Dallas had put together a four-game unbeaten run, but takes just a 1-3-3 record at home into this weekend's clash against the Crew, who are unbeaten in nine.

Dallas' injury list - which is eight deep - includes usual No. 1 goalie Dario Sala (knee), who is out, and midfielder Dave van den Bergh (ankle), who should play.

Columbus has struggled a bit on the road, going just 1-2-4, but has climbed up to third in the Eastern Conference after a slow start and is just four behind first-place D.C. United.

MVP Guillermo Barros Schelotto, who had 19 assists last season, scored twice in a 2-1 win over Chivas USA last weekend and leads the league with 10 goals.

Schelotto insists his game hasn't changed, but Columbus and new manager Robert Warzycha are happy with the results.

"I'm playing the same as last year only I have best possibility for goals and now I'm getting goals," Schelotto said. "I don't know why."

Columbus has won four of its last six - led by Schelotto and his four goals in the last two games - and haven't lost since April 5.

The Crew have a few injury concerns as well, with midfielder Adam Moffat out, and goalie William Hesmer and defender Frankie Hejduk among the questionable.

Andy Gruenebaum, who has filled in well for Hesmer with four wins and four ties in eight games, thought the team finally turned a corner last weekend that may lead the team on another championship run.

"This win felt like circa 2008 championship team coming back from a goal down and protecting the home turf and winning one we really needed to win," he said.



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