Houston Dynamo

Verified Timeline

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. The San Jose team would take the field in 2008. As a result, the Earthquakes are regarded as having suspended operations in 2006 and 2007, while the Dynamo are recognized as a 2006 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 decided to change the name to the Houston Dynamo. The Dynamo played their first regular season game on April 2, 2006, at Robertson Stadium, beating Colorado Rapids 5–2. They finished their first season with an 11–8–13 record, earning second place in the Western Conference. In the playoffs, they eliminated Chivas USA and the Rapids to advance to the MLS Cup. The championship match was scoreless until the second half of extra time, when New England's Taylor Twellman scored. One minute later, Brian Ching headed in the tying goal. The cup final became the first time in MLS history that was decided by a penalty shootout. Houston beat the New England Revolution 4–3 on penalty kicks to win the 2006 MLS Cup. By winning the 2006 MLS Cup, Houston qualified for the 2007 CONCACAF Champions Cup for the first time in club history. Houston began the 2007 season by competing in the 2007 CONCACAF Champions' Cup. After winning a quarterfinal against Costa Rican team Puntarenas F.C., Houston exited the competition in the semifinals, beating Mexican team Pachuca 2–0 in the first leg but losing 5–2 after extra time in the return leg. Houston began its 2007 MLS league campaign with shutouts against Los Angeles Galaxy and Chivas USA. During the season, Houston made significant trades. After b

In Their Own Story

On April 2, 2006, the Dynamo played their first regular season game at Robertson Stadium, defeating Colorado Rapids 5–2 with Brian Ching scoring four goals. That year, they advanced to the MLS Cup where New England's Taylor Twellman scored in extra time before Brian Ching headed in the tying goal one minute later. The match became the first in MLS history decided by a penalty shootout, which Houston won 4–3. In 2007, after struggling in the regular season and making trades for Richard Mulrooney, Joseph Ngwenya, and Nate Jaqua, the team went on an eleven-game unbeaten streak. They defeated FC Dallas and Kansas City Wizards to reach the MLS Cup again, winning 2–1 on a second-half goal by Dwayne De Rosario.

Reader's Guide

The Houston Dynamo play at Shell Energy Stadium in East Downtown Houston. The club's colors are orange and white. Notable former players include Brian Ching, Dwayne De Rosario, and Stuart Holden. The team has won MLS Cup in 2006 and 2007, and U.S. Open Cup in 2018 and 2023.

Did You Know?

• The 2006 MLS Cup was the first match in MLS history to be decided by a penalty shootout, with Houston defeating New England Revolution 4–3.
• In 2007, the Dynamo set an MLS record with a shutout streak of 726 minutes during an eleven-game unbeaten run.
• Anschutz Entertainment Group began negotiations with Brener International Group and Golden Boy Promotions (Oscar De La Hoya) to sell a majority stake.