Goal celebrations are always a fantastic part of Houston Dynamo FC matches. (Houston Dynamo FC)
We’re hitting the pitch! Houston Dynamo FC is playing in its 20th season this year. Learn about the club’s biggest stars, history, and traditions.
Houston Dynamo FC is celebrating its 20th season as a Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise. The team began playing its home games at Robertson Stadium on the University of Houston’s campus before moving to Shell Energy Stadium in East Downtown Houston in 2012.
The bright orange Dynamo jerseys are immediately recognizable, and there are plenty of fun traditions around the squad. We’re diving into the stars of this season’s roster, the club’s history, and some of the special elements of Houston Dynamo FC culture.
The 2025 Houston Dynamo FC stars
Houston Dynamo FC has 31 players on its 2025 roster. Here are some of the biggest names you’ll see on the pitch.
Amine Bassi, Forward
Born in France and representing Morocco in international play, Amine Bassi is one of Houston Dynamo FC’s top players. The Dynamo acquired him from English club Barnsley in January 2023, reportedly paying a $1.5 million transfer fee for the honor. During his debut season in Houston, Bassi set an MLS record by scoring a penalty kick in four consecutive games. The forward is also involved in a lot of the club’s scoring. Last year, he led the Dynamo with eight assists during the regular season and scored a team-high 10 goals during the 2023 campaign.
Ezequiel Ponce, Forward
At eight years old, most of us were attempting basic math equations and fretting over what to bring during show and tell. Ezequiel Ponce was joining the Newell’s Old Boys youth soccer team. The Argentine quickly rose up the ranks and has played for a variety of European clubs. Most recently, he was on AEK Athens for the 2023-24 season. The Dynamo spent about $8 million to grab Ponce from AEK Athens, which is the most Houston has ever paid for a player’s transfer fee. Ponce has proven to be a worthwhile investment, scoring nine goals in his first 25 matches. He also recorded his first assist with the Dynamo earlier this season.
Artur, Midfielder
The man so dynamic he only needs one name, Artur is in his third year with the Dynamo. He’s currently signed through this season with club options for the next two years. Artur is a very common sight during Dynamo games—he leads the team in games started and minutes played. Because he’s spending most of his time around midfield or on the wings, he doesn’t score a ton, though he did record four assists last year. To date, those are the only four assists of his MLS career.
Jack McGlynn, Midfielder
Jack McGlynn will turn 22 this summer, though he’s been on MLS rosters since he was still in high school. He began his journey with the Philadelphia Union II reserve squad before getting bumped up to the main club in 2021. The Union sold McGlynn to the Dynamo in February for $2.1 million; an extra $1.3 million is at stake if the midfielder hits specific milestones while with the Dynamo. Thus far, he’s posted the best pass accuracy of his career and has started every game he’s played with Houston—a feat he never pulled off in Philadelphia. He was also recently named a member of the U.S. Men’s National Team Gold Cup roster.
Griffin Dorsey, Defender
You might find Griffin Dorsey suiting up in multiple positions—while he’s primarily a fullback defender, he also spends some time at midfield as a winger. He made his MLS debut shortly before his 20th birthday; a couple of years later, in July 2021, he signed with the Dynamo. He had a substantial impact, earning Dynamo Young Player of the Year in his first season. He’s started in all but one of Houston’s games this year, and he’s already set a career-high in assists with six and counting. He’s also on pace to break his season best of three goals.
Erik Sviatchenko, Defender
Erik Sviatchenko joined the Dynamo in March 2023 and immediately got a taste of the championship life when the club won the U.S. Open Cup. That same season, the Dynamo also reached the MLS Western Conference Final and qualified for the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup (this year’s edition is being held in Houston). The Danish Sviatchenko spent over a decade in Europe, playing in Denmark and Scotland. Since his arrival, he’s helped anchor the Dynamo backline defense.
Jonathan Bond, Goalkeeper
Jonathan Bond is a recent addition to the Houston Dynamo FC roster, having transferred from England’s Watford FC. He’s played in over 200 matches in England and the US, including a three-year stint with the LA Galaxy. The Dynamo signed Bond as an injury replacement player for goalie Andrew Tarbell, who’s on the injured list for the rest of the year. Bond has been the starter since arriving in Houston, saving about two-thirds of the shots on goal against him.
Houston Dynamo FC history
Houston Dynamo FC was established in 2005 after the San Jose Earthquakes relocated to Houston. The Dynamo immediately made a splash in the MLS, winning the MLS Cup in 2006 and 2007, the club’s first two seasons.
That 2007 season is arguably the best in Houston Dynamo FC history. The Dynamo finished with a record of 15 wins, eight losses, and seven draws, ending the year with a +20 point differential. That’s tied for the most wins in club history and remains the largest point differential the Dynamo have ever seen.
The Dynamo returned to the MLS’s top ranks in 2011 and 2012, finishing as the runner-up in the MLS Cup in both seasons. That was followed by a dire stretch, however. From 2014 to 2022, the club only qualified for the MLS Cup once and posted a singular winning season in that stretch, a 13-10-11 record in 2017.
Despite those rough years, the Dynamo won the U.S. Open Cup in 2018, a tournament where all teams qualify. Recently, Houston has returned to prominence, winning the U.S. Open Cup again in 2023 and posting another franchise-record-tying 15-win season in 2024. The 2024 season also set Dynamo records for points (54) and road wins (eight).
Houston Dynamo FC fan traditions
Interested in checking out a Houston Dynamo FC game, either in person or on TV? Brush up on a few additional club facts.
Mascot
Wouldn’t it be cool to say you designed a team’s mascot? Eric Hulsey and Leslie Lopez have achieved that claim to fame. The pair, who were Art Institute of Houston students, submitted a drawing and a name for a new club mascot. Their design, an orange fox named Dynamo Diesel, won an online poll. Hulsey and Lopez also got a $500 scholarship for their work—not too shabby!
Dynamo Diesel made his first appearance at the Houston Zoo on April 3, 2007. He’s since been a regular fixture at the club’s matches and community events.
In 2022, the Dynamo also introduced El Zorro, a fox mascot designed in honor of then-Dynamo star Hector Herrera. Herrera is no longer with the club, but a mascot modeled after him is an impressive legacy.
Team Rivalries
Houston has two other Texas rivals: FC Dallas and, since 2021, Austin FC. The Dynamo and FC Dallas participate in the annual Texas Derby. Dallas leads that all-time series 11-9, though the Dynamo came out victorious in the most recent matchup.
Since Austin FC joined the fray, the trio of Texas clubs have started playing in Division I of Copa Tejas. Dallas FC and Austin FC have each won Copa Tejas twice. However, Houston currently sits in first place among the three Texas clubs, so there’s hope for a first victory!
Supporter Groups
Soccer supporter groups are a dedicated bunch. They stand for the entirety of the game, often reciting chants, using noisemakers, and generally just yelling a bunch in support of the club. Houston Dynamo FC is lucky enough to have four supporter groups.
Behind the south goal, you’ll find the Hussle Town Supporter Group. They’ll beat drums, play trumpets, make up custom chants, wave flags, and shoot off an orange smoke screen whenever the club scores. Hussle Town is also joined by the Texian Army, El Batallón, and the Surge supporter groups.
Membership is open for these fan-led groups of passionate supporters, so who knows? You just may find yourself amid the madness at a future Houston Dynamo FC match.
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