Houston Dynamo FC’s 17th Major League Soccer season starts next month. Here are four reasons we’re excited about their prospects in 2022.

Young Talent

Although the Dynamo finished at the bottom of the Western Conference last season with a 6-16-12 record, that did mean a high draft pick this year. And they made out well in the Jan. 22 MLS SuperDraft, selecting Icelandic forward Thorleifur Ulfarsson out of Duke University with the fourth overall pick. They grabbed midfielder Paulo Lima out of Providence College with the 32nd pick and chose the University of Pittsburgh's Arturo Ordonez with the 39th pick. The three will be a big part of the Dynamo’s young core as they take the pitch in 2022.

A New Coach

Paulo Nagamura takes over as the franchise’s fifth head coach. At 38, he’s the youngest coach in club history and comes off a five-year coaching stint in the Sporting Kansas City organization. The former midfielder played 12 years in the MLS before retiring in 2017 and then entering the coaching ranks. It’ll be fun to see if he can turn things around for this rebuilding squad.

A Strong Returning Cast

Despite their struggles in 2021, the Dynamo do have some talent to build around, including last year’s leading scorer Fabrice-Jean Picault, who finished with 11 goals and was named the team’s Most Valuable Player. Also returning is the team’s reigning Defender of the Year Teenage Hadebe.

A New Goalkeeper

Houston made a splash in free agency last month, signing former Portland Timbers keeper Steve Clark to a deal. The eight-year MLS veteran helped the Timbers reach the MLS Cup last season with seven shutouts in 24 appearances.

Get Your Tickets

The Dynamo kick off the 2022 season Feb. 27 at home against Real Salt Lake at PNC Stadium in Houston. Check out their schedule to find tickets for this or any other home game this year.

For more things to do and places to see in Katy, Houston, and beyond, check out the Olympus Grand Crossing blog.