Houston Dynamo FC

Houston Dynamo Football Club is an American professional soccer club based in Houston. The club competes in Major League Soccer as a member of the Western Conference. It was established on December 15, 2005, after the former owners moved the San Jose Earthquakes players and staff to Houston following the 2005 season.

For their first six seasons, the Dynamo played at Robertson Stadium on the campus of the University of Houston. In the 2012 season, they moved to Shell Energy Stadium, a soccer-specific stadium in East Downtown Houston.

The club is owned by Ted Segal, who bought out the other owners in August 2022. The Houston Dynamo have won the MLS Cup twice, in their first two seasons, and the U.S. Open Cup twice, in 2018 and 2023. They have also been runners-up in several important competitions.

History

In 2005, Major League Soccer allowed the owners of the San Jose Earthquakes to move their team to Houston for the 2006 season. The Earthquakes' players and staff moved, but their name and colors stayed in San Jose for a possible return. Because of this, Houston became a new team known as the Dynamo, starting in 2006.

The Dynamo played their first game in April 2006 and won the MLS Cup, a big championship game, that same year. They also won the MLS Cup again in 2007, making them back-to-back champions. Over the years, the team has had many changes in ownership and coaching but continued to compete in Major League Soccer, moving between different conferences and experiencing both successful seasons and times when they didn’t qualify for the playoffs.

Colors and badge

The Houston Dynamo FC uses three main colors: Wildcatter orange, Space City blue, and Raven black. Their original logo included a star, which may have been inspired by the flag of Houston, Texas. After winning big games in 2006 and 2007, they added special designs to their logo to celebrate those victories.

In 2020, they changed their logo to a hexagonal shape. This design represents the year the team was founded, 2006, and also references the city's original layout. The new logo also includes shapes that symbolize Houston's waterways.

Name

The team chose the name "Dynamo" on March 6, 2006. This name reflects Houston's strong energy industry and honors a past soccer team in the city, the Houston Dynamos. The team president explained that “Dynamo” means someone who never gives up, fitting for a hardworking city like Houston. Their colors—orange, white, and “Space City” blue—honor both the city’s flag and another famous Houston sports team, the Houston Oilers.

Originally, the team was going to be called “Houston 1836,” referencing the year Houston was founded. However, some fans felt this name brought up sensitive historical meanings, so the team switched to “Dynamo” instead. In 2020, the club added “Football Club” to its name, now known as Houston Dynamo FC.

Stadiums

Shell Energy Stadium

Main article: Shell Energy Stadium

In 2010, plans were made for a special soccer stadium in Downtown Houston. This stadium, first called BBVA Compass Stadium, opened in 2012 with a game against D.C. United. Over the years, it changed names a few times and is now known as Shell Energy Stadium. It can hold over 20,000 fans and has special seating made of mesh. The stadium also hosts football games, concerts, and other events.

Houston Sports Park

The Houston Dynamo, Houston Dash, and their academy teams train at the Houston Sports Park. This facility opened in 2011 and has seven soccer fields. Most fields are for the teams, but some are available for public use. It is located a short drive from Shell Energy Stadium.

Club culture

Supporters

The first match in 2006 drew 25,462 fans against the Colorado Rapids. As the weather got warmer, attendance dropped, but it rose again later in the year. A big crowd came to see a game against the Los Angeles Galaxy in August, thanks to a special event with two other teams playing.

In the 2006 season, the average attendance was 18,935 for home games. Fans helped fill stadiums during the playoffs, and they were part of a sold-out crowd for the 2006 MLS Cup in Frisco.

There are four official supporter groups: El Batallón, Texian Army, Bandera Negra, and The Surge.

Mascot

In 2007, Houston looked for a mascot. Artists from The Art Institute of Houston made designs, and fans voted online. The winner was an orange-haired fox named Dynamo Diesel. He was introduced at the Houston Zoo and joined the team's community events.

Rivalries

Houston Dynamo’s main rival is FC Dallas, and they play in the Texas Derby. Since Austin FC joined in 2021, the three teams compete for the Copa Tejas trophy. The Dynamo also have a rivalry with Sporting Kansas City after meeting them often in important games.

Broadcasting

From 2023, every Houston Dynamo match can be watched using MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app. Before this, the games were shown on different TV stations in Houston and also on national MLS TV channels.

Most matches are also broadcast on radio in both English and Spanish. ESPN Houston 97.5 FM is the English station, with Glenn Davis as the announcer.

TUDN Radio Houston 93.3 FM is the Spanish station, where Daniel Mejia describes the action and Cesar Procel gives expert advice.

Players and staff

For details on former players, see All-time Houston Dynamo roster.

Current roster

As of April 17, 2026

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Head coaches

• Note: Record for MLS Regular season games only. As of February 1, 2025

General managers

Ownership history

• AEG (2005–2015)
• Gabriel Brener (2008–2022)
• Oscar De La Hoya (2008–2022)
• Ben Guill (2015–2022)
• Jake Silverstein (2015–2021)
• Ted Segal (2021–present)
• Lyle Ayes (2022–present)

Staff

As of August 5, 2024^[update]

Affiliates and club academy

The Houston Dynamo Academy started in 2007. Their first homegrown player, Tyler Deric, joined the team in 2009. Soon after, Francisco Navas Cobo became the second homegrown player and later played in a game for the Dynamo. In 2011, Alex Dixon scored an important goal for the team against Real Salt Lake.

The academy has been based at Houston Sports Park since 2011. Before that, they played at different fields around the city. The Dynamo also had affiliate teams, such as the Charleston Battery and later the Rio Grande Valley FC Toros, where they sent players to gain experience. In 2022, the Dynamo started a new team called Houston Dynamo 2 to play in the MLS Next Pro league.

The Dynamo work closely with the Houston Dash of the NWSL, and both teams are operated by Houston Dynamo Football Club.

Honors

Domestic

• MLS Cup
  • Champions (2): (/wiki/MLS_Cup_2006), (/wiki/MLS_Cup_2007)
  • Runners-up (2): (/wiki/MLS_Cup_2011), (/wiki/MLS_Cup_2012)
• U.S. Open Cup
  • Champions (2): (/wiki/2018_U.S._Open_Cup), (/wiki/2023_U.S._Open_Cup)
• Supporters' Shield
  • Runners-up (1): (/wiki/2008_Major_League_Soccer_season)
• Western Conference (Playoff)
  • Champions (2): (/wiki/2006_Major_League_Soccer_season), (/wiki/2007_Major_League_Soccer_season)
  • Runners-up (3): (/wiki/2009_Major_League_Soccer_season), (/wiki/2017_Major_League_Soccer_season), (/wiki/2023_Major_League_Soccer_season)
• Eastern Conference (Playoff)
  • Champions (2): (/wiki/2011_Major_League_Soccer_season), (/wiki/2012_Major_League_Soccer_season)
  • Runners-up (1): (/wiki/2013_Major_League_Soccer_season)
• Western Conference (Regular Season)
  • Champions (1): (/wiki/2008_Major_League_Soccer_season)

International

• North American SuperLiga
  • Runners-up (1): (/wiki/2008_North_American_SuperLiga)

Seasons

Main article: List of Houston Dynamo seasons

This is a short look at the last five seasons for the Houston Dynamo. For the complete history, see List of Houston Dynamo seasons.

**^**1. Avg. attendance includes stats from league matches only.
**^**2. Top goalscorer(s) includes goals from League, MLS Cup Playoffs, U.S. Open Cup, MLS is Back Tournament, CONCACAF Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup, and other important matches.

Team records

Main article: Houston Dynamo records and statistics

Main article: Houston Dynamo in International Competition

Because the team won the MLS Cup, they got to play in big tournaments like the CONCACAF Champions Cup and the North American SuperLiga. In 2008, they also played in the first ever Pan-Pacific Championship and the first ever CONCACAF Champions League. They reached the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup twice and the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions League three times.

Here are some of the team's top performers:

• Games played: Brad Davis (271)
• Goals: Brian Ching (56)
• Assists: Brad Davis (104)
• Shots: Brad Davis (473)
• Wins: Pat Onstad (53)
• Shutouts: Pat Onstad (37)
• Saves: Pat Onstad (384)

These records are from the MLS regular season only, up until December 19, 2019.

Player awards

The Houston Dynamo FC players have received many awards over the years.

They have been chosen for the MLS Best XI team, which means they were among the best players in the league in their year. Some of these players include Dwayne De Rosario, Ricardo Clark, Geoff Cameron, Stuart Holden, Brad Davis, and Héctor Herrera.

Players have also been selected for the MLS All-Star Game, which is a match featuring some of the best players from around the league. Players like Brian Ching, Dwayne De Rosario, Eddie Robinson, Brad Davis, Geoff Cameron, and Héctor Herrera have been part of this special game.

Other awards given to Houston Dynamo FC players include Goal of the Year, Save of the Year, and the Fair Play Player award, recognizing sportsmanship and fair play.

Attendance

Average season attendance

Highest attended matches