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Dynamo Offseason Recap: Houston push the reset button towards 2026
- Andrés Naranjo
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
The Houston Dynamo began preseason with an aim to rebuild, turning a new leaf after a disastrous 2025 season that saw the team miss out on playoffs for the first time in Ben Olsen's tenure and setting the worst single-season home record in franchise history. President of Soccer Pat Onstad and Technical Director Asher Mendelsohn have been vocal about the team's failure in regards to reinforcements brought in the previous season and team chemistry after offloading pivotal players like Adalberto "Coco" Carrasquilla, Héctor Herrera, and Micael before the season began.
At the start of preseason, Onstad led a lengthy media availability and answered questions about the team leading up to a season that must prove the return to winning ways and the high standards promoted by majority owner Ted Segal. Full availability can be found below and on our YouTube channel Foxtrot TV:
Offseason Highlights
Houston have let go of 18 players since the start of the offseason, including Amine Bassi, Franco Escobar, Brooklyn Raines, and fan-favorite Griffin Dorsey. Bassi, Escobar, and Dorsey became instrumental pieces for the team after arriving and helping lift the U.S. Open Cup in 2023, while Raines blossomed this season with consistent appearances with the first team and national team following a developmental path since 2022.
The Dynamo have been hard at work this offseason, bringing reinforcements to fill the gaps dating back to the previous offseason. Defender Lucas Halter, midfielder Agustín Bouzat, forward Guilherme, and the return of Héctor Herrera signal the shift towards experience in the roster.
The signing of Mateusz Bogusz shows heightened expectations by Houston to add much-needed attacking power after struggling to finish in the final third last year, also adding an important creative piece to open the game to their favor.
Significant depth additions were made this offseason, including the signings of winger Nicholas Markanich and full back Franco Negri. Houston is likely to bring in more depth by the start of the season.
Transfers
Player | Position | Age | Previous Team | Roster Status |
GK | 21 | NC State | Homegrown | |
DF | 21 | Virginia | Homegrown | |
DF | 25 | EC Vitória (purchased from Botafogo) | Senior, International | |
MF | 31 | Vélez Sarsfield | Senior, International | |
FW | 30 | Santos | DP, International | |
MF | 35 | Deportivo Toluca | Senior | |
FW | 26 | Loaned from Club Deportivo Castellón | Supplemental | |
DF | 30 | San Diego FC (signed as Free Agent) | Supplemental | |
MF | 24 | Cruz Azul | DP, International |
Houston opted to rely in experience and leadership across the board. After adding Duane Holmes and Diadié Samassékou last year, the Dynamo also signed Agustín Bouzat, Guilherme, Franco Negri, and a familiar face in Héctor Herrera. Ben Olsen will have enough experience to his disposal that can succeed under his possessive system.
The signing of Mateusz Bogusz significantly improves Houston's approach in the final third and adds a dynamic weapon that could be adjusted over the course of the season. "Mati" becomes Houston's third Designated Player along with Ezequiel Ponce and newcomer Guilherme.
Lucas Halter and "Nick" Markanich will be players to watch in 2026. Halter seems to be a long-term project similar to a player like Micael, while Markanich serves as a complimentary striker that will be important during the midseason crunch.
The sale of Brooklyn Raines and loan of Dynamo 2 gem Sebastián Rodriguez raised questions if the club wants to establish a legit pipeline from MLS NEXT Pro to MLS. While the Front Office have been transparent about turning a profit off their signings, which they have, Dynamo Academy products and Dynamo 2 players alike are going to lean towards better opportunities elsewhere.
The late sale of Griffin Dorsey to Orlando City has riled up Dynamo fans with the news coming in within days before the start of the 2026 season. Dorsey had one year left in his contract with Houston and the club decided to let him go for $1 million in GAM, which could top at $1,200,000 million in GAM if performance metrics are met, and a future sell on percentage.
Preseason
Houston played six scrimmages over the course of the preseason that lasted a month and a half, which mostly consisted of MLS opposition. The Dynamo recorded four wins against New England Revolution, San Antonio FC, FC Dallas, and Red Bull New York, and two draws to FC Cincinnati and Atlanta United.
While fans (and the Foxtrot Media crew) were not able to watch most of these scrimmages to analyze, the general consensus is that the Dynamo have a good approach to games after attending the scrimmages against Atlanta United and Red Bull New York which were open to the public. Check out the linked articles for our recaps.
The Dynamo lifted the inaugural Torneo de Tejas preseason tournament after beating FC Dallas and Red Bull New York, and picking up an extra point in the penalty shootout following the draw after regulation against Atlanta United.