Written by Juan Pereira

Photo by Houston Dynamo FC

With the 2024 MLS season entering the dog days of summer, it’s time to freshen up your Dynamo reading! These past two years have been incredible for the fans compared to what came before. Looking back at the last decade shows the discrepancy between the 2010s and the early 2020s in terms of footballing success. Due to said discrepancy, it’s fair to assume that most of these moments happened relatively recently. In all honesty, there wasn’t much good for Houston in the 2010s. However, if you disagree, I want to hear what you think! Tweet at me and comment down below! I want to hear from Dynamo fans what their most significant moments are.

First off, let’s give credit to these honorable mentions. Any one of these could have been included into the top five list, but I felt like all of these are pretty self-explainable to the average Dynamo fan. Coco signing with the squad was a signing that has worked out very well for the team. Matt Jordan’s reign was marred in controversy. The 2017 playoff crowd at BBVA Compass Stadium looked like an European match. Escobar’s goal against Sporting KC last year was a pivotal moment, and Coco Carrasquilla’s game winner against RSL in the U.S. Open Cup semis set up one of the top five moments of the past decade. 

Honorable Mentions: 

- Coco Carrasquilla signs with the Dynamo (2021) 

- Matt Jordan parts ways with Houston (2021) 

- Houston crowd shows up in playoff series against the Seattle Sounders (2017) 

- Escobar scores off of corner in Western Conference Semifinal (2023) 

- Coco Carrasquilla sends Houston to the Open Cup final with an extra-time winner (2023) 

With the honorable mentions out of the way, let’s begin the Dynamo decade countdown starting at #5 spot… 

5: Mauro Manotas scores and hits one of the best celebrations in Dynamo history

Photo Credit: Jaime Valdez, USA TODAY Sports

Mauro Manotas was a Dynamo fan favorite for many reasons, but perhaps there is no moment that shows this better than his iconic celebration against Portland in the 2017 playoffs. Everything about this moment and this picture speaks volumes. The hands cupping his ears. The Portland fans showing their disgust along with two other Dynamo players celebrating close by. Even though it isn’t the most significant compared to the other moments on this list, the picture alone makes the moment deserving of a top five spot. 

#4: Dorsey’s penalty kick sends Houston to the 2023 Western Conference Semifinal

Photo Credit: Michael Wyke/Associated Press 

The 2023 season is one of the best in recent Dynamo history, and one of the moments that defined it was the penalty shootout in Game 3 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals. Many fans already considered the season a success due to the U.S Open Cup run (more on that later!). However, if Houston didn’t get past Salt Lake, it would have been quite a sour and premature end to a season that brought so many fans back to the sport in Houston. Griffin Dorsey was the man tasked with converting the penalty that kept dreams alive; the Dynamo defender scored, keeping the season rolling. When he scored, fans knew that this iteration of the men in orange weren’t one-and-dones. 

#3: Houston Dynamo FC win the 2018 U.S. Open Cup

Photo Credit: AP Photo/David J. Phillip 

Sometimes, teams that win trophies aren’t the best; they get hot at just the right time. Led by U.S legend DaMarcus Beasley, Houston made it all the way to the cup final despite not making the MLS playoffs in 2018. The final was a Mauro Manotas masterclass that showed why he was linked to a move abroad. Although attendance wasn’t very high for the match, you could hear the stadium vibrating after every Dynamo goal. The supporters in the stands knew they were watching history. 

#2: Hector Herrera makes his Dynamo debut against FC Dallas

Photo Credit: Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle 

Houston, we had a problem. Since the start of the pandemic, attendance was down, the team wasn’t very good, and in reality, there was a lack of excitement surrounding the Dynamo. Herrera’s signing took all of the negativity and flipped it on its head. His first match was indicative of the tidal shift that was to come for the team. In the dying moments, Teenage Hadebe scored the equalizer when it seemed all hope was lost. Herrera’s first game wasn’t a win, but it brought fireworks, just like the season after. 

#1: Upset! Houston defeats Inter Miami in 2023 U.S. Open Cup

Photo Credit: Cristobal Herrera-Ulashkevich/EPA-EFE

This game wiped away years of pain that the most fierce Dynamo supporters were carrying from seasons of ineptitude. When Messi and Jordi Alba were declared unavailable for the match, it felt like Houston actually had a shot. This belief was reinforced by Griffin Dorsey’s screamer in the first half which was followed by Bassi’s converted penalty. Although the second half was a little bit stressful, Houston was able to hold on and bring their first major trophy since 2018 back to Houston. The midfield core of Artur, Carrasquilla, and Herrera had already begun to pay dividends.

If you disagree or want to continue this discourse, DM me at @JpHouSports on Twitter/X. I love to hear audience feedback! Make sure to follow @DynamicFoxtrot for more content like this.