Houston Dynamo

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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. It was disclosed that 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 in front of a crowd of 25,462. The Dynamo beat Colorado Rapids 5–2, with Brian Ching scoring four goals, with all four assisted by Dwayne De Rosario. The Dynamo finished their first season with an 11–8–13 record, earning them second place in the Western Conference. In the playoffs, they eliminated both Chivas USA and the Rapids 3–1, in the Western Conference 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 for Houston. 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 losi

In Their Own Story

The path to glory was not without significant ownership shifts. In late 2007, MLS commissioner Don Garber required the original owners, Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), to divest as they also held the Los Angeles Galaxy. On November 21, 2007, AEG entered negotiations with a partnership led by Brener International Group and Golden Boy Promotions, the latter owned by boxing champion Oscar De La Hoya. By February 26, 2008, President Oliver Luck confirmed the new structure: AEG retained 50% ownership, while Gabriel Brener and De La Hoya each held 25%. De La Hoya had already shown support, wearing Dynamo colors on his boxing uniform. Under this new regime, the club continued to compete fiercely, reaching the U.S. Open Cup finals in 2018 and 2023, while also finishing as MLS Cup runners-up in 2011 and 2012.

Reader's Guide

The Houston Dynamo play at Shell Energy Stadium in East Downtown Houston. They are a member of the Western Conference in Major League Soccer. The club's majority owner is Ted Segal. Key historical figures include coach Dominic Kinnear and players Brian Ching, Dwayne De Rosario, and Pat Onstad.

Did You Know?

• The Dynamo were originally named Houston 1836 but changed the name after backlash from the Mexican community.
• Brian Ching scored four goals in the team's first regular-season game on April 2, 2006, all assisted by Dwayne De Rosario.
• The Dynamo set an MLS record shutout streak of 726 minutes in 2007.
• The club won the MLS Cup in their first two seasons (2006 and 2007), both times defeating the New England Revolution.