Houston Dynamo

Two-time MLS Cup champions from Houston.

Houston Dynamo Football Club is an American professional soccer club based in Houston. The club competes in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the Western Conference. Established on December 15, 2005, the club was founded after their former owners relocated the San Jose Earthquakes' players and staff to Houston following the 2005 season. For their first six seasons in Houston, the Dynamo played at Robertson Stadium on the campus of the University of Houston. During the 2012 season, the club moved to Shell Energy Stadium, a soccer-specific stadium in East Downtown Houston. The club is majority-owned by Ted Segal. The Houston Dynamo have won the MLS Cup twice, doing so during their first two seasons in 2006 and 2007. The club has also won the U.S. Open Cup twice, in 2018 and 2023. They have been MLS Cup runners-up twice, in 2011 and 2012, and Supporters' Shield runners-up once in 2008. The Dynamo have also reached the final of the now defunct North American SuperLiga, finishing as runners-up following a defeat against the New England Revolution.

Quick Facts

Nickname: Orange Crush; La Naranja (The Orange)
Founded: 15 December 2005
Stadium: Shell Energy Stadium; Houston, Texas
Capacity: 20,656
Owner: Ted Segal
Chairman: Pat Onstad
Manager: Ben Olsen
League: Major League Soccer

Lore & Background

MLS commissioner Don Garber revealed on November 16, 2005, that the league had granted permission to San Jose Earthquakes' owners Anschutz Entertainment Group to relocate the team for the 2006 season. On December 15, 2005, Major League Soccer announced all players and coaches under contract to the Earthquakes would move to Houston. The Earthquakes name, colors and competition records were retained by the league for a possible expansion team. A ceremony was held outside Houston City Hall on December 16, 2005, to officially announce the franchise's arrival. The team would train and play at the University of Houston's Robertson Stadium on a three-year lease. AEG president and CEO Tim Leiweke announced former Houston Oilers quarterback Oliver Luck as the team's president and general manager. The newly relocated Houston team was named Houston 1836, but after backlash from the Mexican community, ownership changed the name to the Houston Dynamo. The Dynamo played their first regular season game on April 2, 2006, beating Colorado Rapids 5–2. They won the 2006 MLS Cup in a penalty shootout against New England Revolution. In 2007, they won a second consecutive MLS Cup, again defeating New England Revolution 2–1. Late in 2007, MLS informed Dynamo owners AEG that they should divest their interest, as AEG also owned the Los Angeles Galaxy. On November 21, 2007, it was announced that AEG was in negotiations to sell the Dynamo to a partnership of Brener International Group and Golden Boy Promotions. On February 26, 2008, it was revealed that AEG would hold 50% ownership, with Gabriel Brener and Oscar De La Hoya each holding 25%.