2023 Houston Dynamo FC season explained

Club:Houston Dynamo
Season:2023
Manager:Ben Olsen
Chairman:Pat Onstad
Mgrtitle:Head coach
Chrtitle:General manager
Owner:Ted Segal
Stadium:Shell Energy Stadium
League:MLS
League Result:Conference

4th
Overall: 9th

Cup1:MLS Cup Playoffs
Cup1 Result:Conference Finals
Cup2:U.S. Open Cup
Cup2 Result:Winners
Cup3:Leagues Cup
Cup3 Result:Round of 16
Largest Win:HOU 5–0 POR (8/20)
Largest Loss:VAN 6–2 HOU (5/31)
League Topscorer:Amine Bassi

10 goals

Season Topscorer:Amine Bassi

15 goals

Highest Attendance:20,319
(11/26 v. SKC
Lowest Attendance:All: 2,947
(5/23 v. MIN, USOC)
League: 10,873
(8/30 v. CLB)
Average Attendance:15,029[1]
Pattern La1:_houston23h
Pattern B1:_houston23H
Pattern Ra1:_houston23h
Pattern Sh1:_houston23h
Pattern So1:_color_3_stripes_black
Leftarm1:FF6B00
Body1:FF6B00
Rightarm1:FF6B00
Shorts1:FF6B00
Socks1:FF6B00
Pattern La2:_hou2022a
Pattern B2:_hou2022a
Pattern Ra2:_hou2022a
Pattern Sh2:_adidasshortsilver
Pattern So2:_color_3_stripes_on_black
Leftarm2:101010
Body2:101010
Rightarm2:101010
Shorts2:101010
Socks2:cdcdcd
Prevseason:2022
Nextseason:2024
American:true

The 2023 Houston Dynamo season was the 18th season of the team's existence since joining Major League Soccer (MLS) prior to the 2006 season. The Dynamo missed the playoffs in 2022 for the eighth time in nine years.

2023 was the first season under head coach Ben Olsen, who was hired on November 8, 2022.[2] It was the second season under GM Pat Onstad and technical director Asher Mendelsohn. It was the third season (second full season) under majority owner Ted Segal. 2023 saw the Dynamo qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2017 after finishing 4th in the Western Conference. There they would advance past Real Salt Lake in the first round 2 games to 1 in a best of 3 series and defeat Sporting Kansas City 1–0 to advance to the Conference Finals, where they would fall 2–1 to LAFC. The season was highlighted by the club's second ever Open Cup title, winning 2–1 at Inter Miami CF in the final.

Team captain Héctor Herrera set a club record for assists in a season with 21 and was the first Dynamo player included in the MLS Best XI since Brad Davis in 2011.[3]

Current squad

[4]

Appearances and goals are totals for MLS regular season only.

No.NameNationalityPositionDate of birth (Age)Signed fromSigned inApps.Goals
Goalkeepers
12Steve ClarkGKApril 14, 1986 (age 37)Portland Timbers2022660
13Andrew TarbellGKOctober 7, 1993 (age 30)Austin FC202310
38Xavier Valdez (HGP)GKNovember 23, 2003 (age 20)Houston Dynamo Academy202200
Defenders
2Franco EscobarDFFebruary 21, 1995 (age 28)Los Angeles FC2023282
3Brad SmithDFApril 9, 1994 (age 29)D.C. United2023181
4Ethan Bartlow (GA)DFFebruary 2, 2000 (age 23)University of Washington2021420
5Daniel SteresDFNovember 11, 1990 (age 33)LA Galaxy2022444
17Teenage Hadebe (DP)DFSeptember 17, 1995 (age 28)Yeni Malatyaspor2021513
22Tate SchmittDFMay 28, 1997 (age 26)Real Salt Lake202351
24Mujeeb Murana (HGP)DFSeptember 23, 2000 (age 23)Houston Dynamo 2202300
25Griffin DorseyDFMarch 5, 1999 (age 24)Toronto FC2021666
28Erik SviatchenkoDFOctober 4, 1991 (age 32)Midtjylland2023170
30Chase GasperDFJanuary 25, 1996 (age 27)LA Galaxy202350
31MicaelDFAugust 12, 2000 (age 23)Atlético Mineiro2022251
Midfielders
6ArturMFMarch 11, 1996 (age 27)Columbus Crew2023342
8Amine BassiMFNovember 27, 1997 (age 26)FC Metz20232810
16Héctor Herrera (DP)MFApril 19, 1990 (age 33)Atlético Madrid2022404
19Charles AugusteMFNovember 25, 1999 (age 24)Creighton University202300
20Adalberto CarrasquillaMFNovember 28, 1998 (age 25)Cartagena2021676
27Luis CaicedoMFMay 18, 1996 (age 27)Cortuluá2023250
32Sebastian KowalczykMFAugust 22, 1998 (age 25)Pogoń Szczecin202380
35Brooklyn Raines (HGP)MFMarch 11, 2005 (age 18)Barça Residency Academy202280
Forwards
7Iván FrancoFWApril 16, 2000 (age 23)Club Libertad2023263
11Corey BairdFWJanuary 30, 1996 (age 27)Los Angeles FC20216410
18Ibrahim Aliyu (U22)FWJanuary 16, 2002 (age 21)NK Lokomotiva Zagreb2023243
21Nelson QuiñónesFWAugust 20, 2002 (age 21)Once Caldas2022364
23Ifunanyachi AcharaFWSeptember 28, 1997 (age 26)Toronto FC202300
34Thorleifur Úlfarsson (GA)FWDecember 27, 2000 (age 22)Duke University2022497

Player movement

In

Per Major League Soccer and club policies terms of the deals do not get disclosed.

DatePlayerPositionAgePrevious ClubNotesRef
November 22, 2022 ArturMF26 Columbus CrewAcquired in exchange for $200,000 in 2023 GAM, $100,000 in 2024 GAM, and a conditional $50,000 in GAM[5]
November 23, 2022 Andrew TarbellGK29 Austin FCSigned on a free transfer[6]
December 7, 2022 Ifunanyachi AcharaFW25 Toronto FCSigned on a free transfer, acquired his rights in stage 2 of the 2022 MLS Re-Entry Draft on November 22, 2022[7]
December 21, 2022 Charles AugusteMF23Creighton UniversityUndrafted free agent[8]
January 6, 2023 Brad SmithDF28 D.C. UnitedSigned on a free transfer[9]
January 7, 2023 Iván FrancoFW22 Club LibertadSigned on loan for the 2023 season with an option to buy.[10] [11]
January 12, 2023 Franco EscobarDF27 LAFCSigned on a free transfer[12]
January 23, 2023 Amine BassiFW25 FC MetzFull transfer for an undisclosed fee. Fee is reportedly $1.5 million.[13] [14]
February 9, 2023 Djevencio van der KustDF21 FC UtrechtSigned on loan with an option to buy.[15] [16]
February 16, 2023 MicaelDF22 Atlético MineiroFull transfer for an undisclosed fee. Fee is reportedly $500,000. Spent the previous season on loan to Houston Dynamo 2.[17] [18]
February 16, 2023 Mujeeb MuranaDF22 Houston Dynamo 2Signed as a homegrown player.[19]
February 17, 2023 Tate SchmittDF25 Real Salt LakeSigned on a free transfer. Acquired his player rights by sending a 3rd round pick in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft to RSL.[20]
February 23, 2023 Luis CaicedoMF26 CortuluáSigned on a free transfer.[21]
March 24, 2023 Erik SviatchenkoDF31 MidtjyllandFull transfer for an undisclosed fee. Fee is reportedly $1,480,000.[22] [23]
April 16, 2023 Chase GasperDF27 LA GalaxyClaimed off waivers.[24]
April 25, 2023 Ibrahim AliyuFW21 NK Lokomotiva ZagrebFull transfer for an undisclosed fee as a U-22 Initiative player. Fee is reportedly $2,300,000.[25] [26]
July 13, 2023 Nelson QuiñónesFW20 Once CaldasExercised the purchase option on the loan. Transfer fee undisclosed but is reportedly $1,250,000, with Once Caldas maintaining a 25% sell-on clause.[27] [28]
August 1, 2023 Sebastian KowalczykMF24 Pogoń SzczecinFull transfer for an undisclosed fee. Fee is reportedly $540,000.[29] [30]

Out

DatePlayerPositionAgeDestination ClubNotesRef
November 7, 2022 Mateo BajamichFW23 Estudiantes de Río CuartoContract option declined[31]
November 7, 2022 Ian HoffmannDF21 Moss FKContract option declined
November 7, 2022 Marcelo PalominoMF21 AFC EskilstunaContract option declined
November 7, 2022 Zarek ValentinDF31 Minnesota United FCContract option declined
November 9, 2022 Fafà PicaultFW31 Nashville SCTraded for $50,000 of 2023 GAM, $50,000 of 2024 GAM, and a conditional $150,000 of 2024 GAM.[32]
November 11, 2022 Tim ParkerDF29 St. Louis City SCTraded for $250,000 of 2023 GAM and $250,000 of 2024 GAM. Dynamo will pay a portion of his salary for two seasons.[33]
November 16, 2022 Darwin QuinteroFW35 América de CaliContract option declined[34]
November 16, 2022 Memo RodriguezMF26 LA GalaxyContract option declined
November 16, 2022 ZecaDF28 Esporte Clube VitóriaContract option declined
November 16, 2022 Darwin CerénMF32 C.D. ÁguilaContract expired
November 16, 2022 Sam JunquaDF26 FC DallasContract expired
January 10, 2023 Adam LundqvistDF28 Austin FCTraded for $300,000 of 2023 GAM and $200,000 of 2024 GAM.[35]
February 16, 2023 Michael NelsonGK28 FC TulsaWaived[36]
June 30, 2023 Djevencio van der KustDF22 FC UtrechtLoan ended/returned to Utrecht[37]
July 23, 2023 Juan CastillaMF18 Deportivo CaliSold for an undisclosed fee.[38]

Loans out

DatePlayerPositionAgeDestination ClubNotesRef
January 9, 2023 Matías VeraMF27 Argentinos JuniorsLoaned for remainder of 2023.[39]
March 3, 2023 Danny RíosFW19 Las Vegas LightsLoaned for remainder of 2023.[40]
May 26, 2023 Beto AvilaFW22 Charleston BatteryLoaned for remainder of 2023.[41]
July 27, 2023 Sebastián FerreiraFW25 Vasco da GamaLoaned for remainder of 2023.[42]

MLS SuperDraft

See also: 2023 MLS SuperDraft.

RoundPickPlayerPositionAgeCollegeNotesRef
234Isaiah ReidFW21ClemsonSigned with Houston Dynamo 2.
363Frantz PierrotMF23ConnecticutSigned with Athlone Town.

Staff

[43] [44]

Friendlies

Preseason

Competitions

Major League Soccer

See also: 2023 Major League Soccer season.

Standings

Overall

MLS Cup Playoffs

See main article: 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs.

Conference Finals

U.S. Open Cup

See main article: 2023 U.S. Open Cup.

Leagues Cup

See main article: 2023 Leagues Cup.

Knockout Stage

Player statistics

Appearances, goals, and assists

! rowspan="2"
2DF41312821510400400
3DF21121812300400200
4DF32012701000500000
5DF28222622000200000
6MF47213420500401400
7FW33342633000301400
8MF4215828104520524410
9FW13001100000200000
11FW481483486510532420
12GK41023302500000300
13GK800100000600100
14FW000000000000000
15DF100000000100000
16MF4462130417512511401
17DP16101210200200000
18FW37642433400531400
19MF100000000100000
20MF384112538501411401
21FW41542842501510301
22DF510510000000000
23FW000000000000000
24DF200000000200000
25DF33531932500510411
27MF37102500200610400
28DF30011701500400400
30DF800500000300000
31DF37102410500400400
32MF000000000000000
32MF901801100000000
33FW000000000000000
34FW28411831300310000
35MF1010700000310000
38GK000000000000000
40DF200000000200000

Notes and References

  1. News: Kennedy . Paul . October 22, 2023 . MLS breaks attendance record . . subscription . October 25, 2023.
  2. Web site: November 8, 2022 . Houston Dynamo FC hire Ben Olsen as head coach . February 9, 2023 . Houston Dynamo FC.
  3. Web site: November 28, 2023 . Héctor Herrera named to 2023 MLS Best XI, presented by Continental Tire . December 12, 2023 . Houston Dynamo.
  4. Web site: Roster. February 9, 2023. Houston Dynamo FC.
  5. Web site: November 22, 2022 . Columbus Crew acquires up to $350,000 in General Allocation Money From Houston Dynamo FC in exchange for Artur . February 9, 2023 . Columbus Crew.
  6. Web site: November 23, 2022 . Dynamo sign goalkeeper Andrew Tarbell as a free agent . February 9, 2023 . Houston Dynamo FC.
  7. Web site: December 7, 2022 . Houston Dynamo FC sign FW Ifunanyachi Achara . February 9, 2023 . Houston Dynamo FC.
  8. Web site: December 21, 2022 . Houston Dynamo FC acquire $375,000 in GAM at 2023 MLS SuperDraft and sign midfielder Charles Auguste via first come, first-served basis . February 9, 2023 . Houston Dynamo FC.
  9. Web site: January 6, 2023 . Houston Dynamo FC sign Australian international and MLS Cup winner Brad Smith . February 9, 2023.
  10. Web site: January 7, 2023 . Houston Dynamo FC sign attacker Iván Franco on loan from Club Libertad . February 9, 2023 . Houston Dynamo FC.
  11. 1611790507742576640. asherhdfc. Yes. He is on a one year loan with an option to buy.. Mendelsohn. Asher.
  12. Web site: January 12, 2023 . Official: Houston Dynamo sign defender Franco Escobar in free agency . February 9, 2023 . Major League Soccer.
  13. Web site: January 23, 2023 . Houston Dynamo FC use TAM to sign attacker Amine Bassi . February 9, 2023 . Houston Dynamo FC.
  14. 1616545699520303107. CLMerlo. [EXCLUSIVO] Houston Dynamo llegó a un acuerdo con el Metz para fichar al Amine Bassi. *️⃣Lo compran en u$s 1.500.000 y, una vez superada la revisión médica, firmará hasta junio de 2025.. Merlo. César Luis.
  15. Web site: February 9, 2023 . Houston Dynamo FC sign defender Djevencio van der Kust on loan from FC Utrecht . February 9, 2023 . Houston Dynamo FC.
  16. Web site: February 9, 2023 . Djevencio van der Kust verhuurd aan Houston Dynamo FC . February 9, 2023 . FC Utrecht . nl.
  17. Web site: February 16, 2023 . Houston Dynamo FC exercise purchase option for Brazilian defender Micael . February 16, 2023 . Houston Dynamo FC.
  18. Web site: 2022-12-09 . Reports: Dynamo sign Brazilian defender Micael . 2023-02-16 . Dynamo Theory . en.
  19. Web site: February 16, 2023 . Houston Dynamo FC sign Fresno, TX native Mujeeb Murana to Homegrown contract . February 16, 2023 . Houston Dynamo FC.
  20. Web site: February 17, 2023 . Houston Dynamo FC sign defender Tate Schmitt . February 17, 2023 . Houston Dynamo FC.
  21. Web site: February 23, 2023 . Houston Dynamo FC sign MLS veteran Luis Caicedo . February 24, 2023 . Houston Dynamo FC.
  22. Web site: March 24, 2023 . Houston Dynamo FC sign veteran center back Erik Sviatchenko using Targeted Allocation Money . 30 March 2023 . Houston Dynamo FC.
  23. Web site: Thøgersen . Troels Bager . Jensen . Kenneth . 24 March 2023 . Erik Sviatchenko er på plads i Houston Dynamo . 25 August 2023 . Thøgersen . da.
  24. Web site: April 16, 2023 . Houston Dynamo FC claim defender Chase Gasper off waivers . 17 April 2023 . Houston Dynamo FC.
  25. Web site: Sigal . Jonathan . April 25, 2023 . Houston Dynamo sign U22 Initiative winger Ibrahim Aliyu . April 27, 2023 . Major League Soccer.
  26. Web site: April 25, 2023 . Dynamo sign Nigerian forward Ibrahim Aliyu . April 27, 2023 . Bayou City Soccer.
  27. Web site: July 13, 2023 . Nelson Quiñónes extends stay with Houston Dynamo . July 17, 2023 . Major League Soccer.
  28. 1677519113902538752. victoraraiza. Report out of Colombia: @HoustonDynamo have exercised the purchase option for 20-year-old winger Nelson Quiñónes (signed to 5yr deal). $1.25 million to @oncecaldas, who retain 25% sell-on clause.. Victor. Araiza.
  29. Web site: August 1, 2023 . Houston Dynamo FC sign Polish International Sebastian Kowalczyk from Pogoń Szczecin . August 25, 2023 . Houston Dynamo FC.
  30. Web site: Przepiórka . Katarzyna . August 2, 2023 . Kolejny Polak w MLS. Zaskakujący transfer i duże szanse na grę. Właściciel liczy na hity pokroju Messiego . August 25, 2023 . Meczyki . pl.
  31. Web site: November 7, 2022 . Dynamo roster decisions open as many as 10 roster spots for the 2023 season . February 9, 2023 . Houston Dynamo FC.
  32. Web site: November 9, 2022 . Nashville Soccer Club Acquires Fabrice-Jean "Fafà" Picault . February 9, 2023 . Nashville SC.
  33. Web site: November 11, 2022 . Houston Dynamo FC trade Tim Parker to St. Louis City SC for $500,000 in General Allocation Money . February 9, 2023 . Houston Dynamo FC.
  34. Web site: November 16, 2022 . Dynamo decline contract options on three players and expand open roster spots to 11 . February 9, 2023 . Houston Dynamo FC.
  35. Web site: January 10, 2023 . Austin FC acquire defender Adam Lundkvist in trade with Houston Dynamo . February 9, 2023 . Major League Soccer.
  36. Web site: February 16, 2023 . Houston Dynamo FC waive GK Michael Nelson . February 16, 2023 . Houston Dynamo FC.
  37. Web site: July 16, 2023 . Internationals sluiten aan, 32-koppige trainingskampselectie . December 11, 2023 . FC Utrecht . nl.
  38. Web site: Sigal . Jonathan . July 23, 2023 . Houston Dynamo transfer Juan Castilla to Colombia's Deportivo Cali . August 25, 2023 . Major League Soccer.
  39. Web site: January 9, 2023 . Houston Dynamo FC loan Matías Vera to Argentinos Juniors . February 9, 2023 . Houston Dynamo FC.
  40. Web site: March 3, 2023 . Houston Dynamo FC loan MF Daniel Rios to Las Vegas Lights FC . March 5, 2023 . Houston Dynamo FC.
  41. Web site: May 26, 2023 . Battery acquire Beto Avila on loan from Houston Dynamo . December 11, 2023 . Charleston Battery.
  42. Web site: Sigal . Jonathan . July 27, 2023 . Houston Dynamo loan Sebastián Ferreira to Brazil's Vasco da Gama . December 11, 2023 . Major League Soccer.
  43. Web site: Front Office . December 20, 2023 . Houston Dynamo FC.
  44. Web site: Staff . December 20, 2023 . Houston Dynamo FC.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "2023 Houston Dynamo FC season".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2025, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.