Houston Dynamo

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

The club's identity was forged in controversy and rapid adaptation. Initially named Houston 1836 to honor the city's founding date, the name faced immediate backlash from the Hispanic community who viewed it as a celebration of the Texas Revolution. Ownership swiftly rebranded the team as the Houston Dynamo, stripping the original Sam Houston logo. The franchise began on April 2, 2006, with a stunning 5-2 victory over Colorado Rapids at Robertson Stadium, where Brian Ching scored four goals—the first assisted by Dwayne De Rosario, the second by Brad Davis, the third by De Rosario, and the fourth by De Rosario. That first season culminated in the club's first MLS Cup title, decided by a penalty shootout against the New England Revolution after a 1-1 draw featuring a late header from Ching. By 2007, the Dynamo secured back-to-back titles, overcoming an early-season trade of Kevin Goldthwaite and setting a club-record shutout streak of 727 minutes before clinching their second championship with a 2-1 win over New England.

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

Supporters should note the specific milestones that define the Dynamo's history. The club reached the final of the now-defunct North American SuperLiga, finishing as runners-up after a defeat against the New England Revolution. In the U.S. The team also earned Supporters' Shield runner-up honors once in 2008. Early matches were played at Robertson Stadium until the 2012 move to Shell Energy Stadium. Fans can trace the lineage directly to the San Jose Earthquakes, as the league retained the original team's records and colors for a 2008 expansion return to California, leaving Houston to build its own legacy starting in 2006.

Did You Know?

• The club was originally named 'Houston 1836' but changed it due to backlash from the Hispanic community regarding the Texas Revolution.
• Brian Ching scored four goals in the Dynamo's first regular-season game on April 2, 2006—the first assisted by Dwayne De Rosario, the second by Brad Davis, the third by De Rosario, and the fourth by De Rosario.
• The Houston Dynamo won back-to-back MLS Cups in their first two seasons of existence (2006 and 2007).
• Oscar De La Hoya became a part-owner of the club in 2008, holding 25% ownership alongside Gabriel Brener, who held a 50% stake.
• The team played at Robertson Stadium for six seasons before moving to Shell Energy Stadium in 2012.