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Houston Dynamo

Founded

2005

Sport

Soccer

Countries

United States

Owner

Gabriel Brener, Oscar De La Hoya, Ben Guill, Jake Silverstein

Summary

Houston Dynamo Football Club, commonly referred to as Houston Dynamo or simply Dynamo, is one of the most recognized and competitive football clubs in the United States. Founded in 2005, the club is based in Houston, Texas, and plays its home matches at the state-of-the-art BBVA Stadium, which has a seating capacity of over 22,000.

Houston Dynamo has a resilient history, boasting two Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup titles, and one U.S. Open Cup. The club enjoyed its most successful era under the management of Dominic Kinnear, who led Dynamo to two MLS Cup victories in 2006 and 2007.

Known for its aggressive and dynamic style of play, the club has nurtured several of football’s notable talents, including Brian Ching, Brad Davis, DaMarcus Beasley, and Stuart Holden. Despite recent challenges and inconsistent performances, Houston Dynamo remains one of the notable clubs in the Major League Soccer, with a dedicated fan base and a rich tradition that continues to impact American and world football.

History

Houston Dynamo is a popular soccer club in the United States, with a steady average home attendance. The club states that its fan base includes many officially recognised branches of the Houston Dynamo Supporters Club (HDSC), in several states. The club takes advantage of this support through its local and national summer tours. Sports industry consultants estimate that Houston Dynamo has a significant number of fans nationwide. The club has a solid social media following among sports teams in the US, with a substantial number of Facebook followers as of July 2023. A study showed that Houston Dynamo had some of the most dedicated fans in the Major League Soccer (MLS).

Early years (2006–2011)

Houston Dynamo was formed in 2006 as a result of a relocation of the San Jose Earthquakes team by the owners Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG). The team initially played games against other MLS teams and quickly established themselves as one of the top teams in the league. In their first season, they won the MLS Cup by defeating the New England Revolution.

Dom Kinnear era (2006–2014)

In 2006, Dom Kinnear became the first coach of the Houston Dynamo. Under his leadership, the team had a successful run, winning the MLS Cup in their first two seasons (2006 and 2007). They also made it to the finals in 2011 and 2012 but fell short of winning the title.

Recent years and struggles (2015–present)

After Kinnear's departure in 2014, the club went through a series of coaching changes. In 2015, Owen Coyle took over as the head coach, but he left mid-season in 2016. He was followed by Wade Barrett as an interim coach. In 2017, Wilmer Cabrera was appointed head coach. Despite a promising start, Cabrera was dismissed in 2019 after a run of poor results. Currently, the team is led by Tab Ramos and is working towards regaining its past glory.

Ownership

Originally known as Houston 1836, the club was renamed to the Houston Dynamo in 2006, referencing Houston's energy-based industrial economy, as well as a previous Houston soccer team, Houston Dynamos who played in the Lone Star Soccer Alliance and United Soccer League. The Houston Dynamo is owned by Gabriel Brener, a businessman who originally held a minority stake in the team, along with legendary boxing champion Oscar De La Hoya, and businessman Ben Guill.

In December 2015, Brener, De La Hoya and Guill completed their purchase of AEG's majority share in the team, making Brener the majority owner and the first Mexican-born owner of an MLS team. De La Hoya, a native of East Los Angeles, California, was a major player in the boxing world before becoming a minority owner of the Houston Dynamo. Guill is the founder and managing partner of White Deer Energy, an energy private equity fund based in Houston and New York. He is also a member of the Dynamo Charities Board of Directors.

Aside from the ownership, the Dynamo's finances are also significantly impacted by various partnerships and sponsorships. The club's jersey sponsor is MD Anderson Cancer Center, with whom they signed a partnership deal in 2019. The Dynamo's home stadium, BBVA Stadium, also provides a significant source of income for the club. The stadium was opened in May 2012 and is named for Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA), a multinational banking group based in Spain, which signed a 10-year deal for the naming rights of the stadium. The Dynamo also have a comprehensive partnership with the Houston Dash, a National Women's Soccer League team, sharing resources, training facilities and even senior management.

Award

Houston Dynamo is a prominent club in the United States. The club's first major trophy was the MLS Cup, which they won in their debut season in 2006. They successfully defended this title the following year. They have also won the Western Conference twice in the Major League Soccer. Additionally, they have a record of consistent performance in the U.S. Open Cup, having reached the semifinals in 2006, 2009, and 2018. In 2018, they claimed their first U.S. Open Cup title. The club has also participated in the CONCACAF Champions League, reaching the semifinals in the 2008-09 and 2012-13 seasons.

Domestic

  • Major League Soccer: 2 times
    • 2006
    • 2007
  • Western Conference (Playoffs): 2 times
    • 2006
    • 2007
  • U.S. Open Cup: 1 time
    • 2018

Continental

  • CONCACAF Champions League: Semifinals 2 times
    • 2008–09
    • 2012–13

Despite being a relatively young club, Houston Dynamo has established a reputation for success and competitiveness. Their successes in the domestic league and their performances in international competitions are testament to their standing as one of the most prominent soccer clubs in the United States.

References

Houston Dynamo - Wikipedia: This page provides a comprehensive overview of the Houston Dynamo Football Club, including its history, notable players, achievements, and current status. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houston_Dynamo

Houston Dynamo Official Site: This is the official website of the Houston Dynamo Football Club. It contains up-to-date news, player profiles, match schedules, ticket information, and more. https://www.houstondynamo.com/

Houston Dynamo image
Full name
Houston Dynamo
Nickname
Dynamo
Countries
United States
Home Stadium
BBVA Stadium
Founded
December 15, 2005
Owner
Gabriel Brener, Oscar De La Hoya, Ben Guill, Jake Silverstein
Head Coach
Tab Ramos
Captain
Boniek García
Social Media
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