TOP STORIES OF THE SEASON
Season Review: Despite best start in club history, Houston Dynamo miss playoffs again
Oct 17, 2019, 11:09 am
TOP STORIES OF THE SEASON
It is incredible to think that, just ten months ago, flocks of Dynamo jerseys roamed to Latin America with the enthusiasm and invigoration that accompanied the start of a new season. By the start of October, the season finale arrived as a merciful end to the fatigue and frustration of what is, now, the worst season in club history.
The club has failed to make the MLS Cup Playoffs in five of the last six seasons. Over half of the teams qualified for the playoffs in each of those years, despite the expansion of Major League Soccer over that span.
The Dynamo now prepare for the start of the offseason next month. In the meantime, let's recall how they got here.
Matías Vera was all in 👊 @energyinsights // #PowerStat https://t.co/eNBv0QGSOa— Houston Dynamo (@Houston Dynamo) 1570658700.0
Because of the way the Dynamo are built, the root of the team's success depends on the additions, or lack thereof, during the offseason. General Manager Matt Jordan and his staff replaced 12 outgoing players with eight incoming signings, of which only four were significant contributors.
Defensive additions Matias Vera, arguably the team's season MVP, and Aljaz Struna were home runs with both coming first and second in minutes played. Defender Maynor Figueroa and midfielder Thomas McNamara also made the top ten in that category.
The problem for the club comes from there being only two major offseason signings. With a lack of first team contributors coming through the Academy and the college draft, the transfer windows are the major source of improvement for the roster. The Dynamo needed to be more aggressive with incoming talent and, several months later, it's proven true.
BOOM! Alberth Elis with the equalizer! #HOUvSKC https://t.co/u5sh5kdGEi— Major League Soccer (@Major League Soccer) 1559441399.0
To sell or not to sell. For one of the league's lowest spending teams, an influx of cash from the sale of one of their young prospects could have helped to improve the team.
The Dynamo had offers for 23-year-old Alberth Elis and 24-year-old Mauro Manotas but did not part ways with either. Elis, who has made it public on numerous occasion that his dream is to play in Europe, lobbied his case on Honduran television in an effort to force the club to sell him. Manotas was given a raise to become the team's highest earner at the beginning of the year but was almost sold in the summer, kept in Houston by an inability to sell him by the transfer deadline.
Manotas scored 13 goals (team leader) and provided 8 assists (team 2nd) while Elis scored nine (team 2nd) and was credited with 10 assists (team leader). They could be a huge part of the blueprint for the future of the club but the question remains if their role will be as contributors on the field or off it as the sacrificial lambs, and the Dynamo don't seem to have a firm posture on either stance.
The team began the year with a five-game unbeaten streak and won seven of their first eight. Supporters were right to feel good about their team's success but perhaps the results painted a much favorable picture.
By June 2nd, the team had played half of it's home schedule. The rest of the season was heavy on road games, a particular challenge for the club in recent years, and the team would only win six and draw one of the remaining 21 matches - a total of 19 points and barely half of their season total.
Even with the downward spiral, which was a carbon copy of the 2018 season but without the makeup of a U.S. Open Cup title, the Dynamo missed the playoffs by a difference of eight points. The road has been a key to their absence from the playoffs.
Dating back to the 2014 season, the Dynamo have won only 12 away matches from 102 played. Their recent playoff season (2017) was made possible by offsetting a one-win road record with a near perfect 12-1-4 (W-L-T) home record.
By the way, the Dynamo won the 2018 Open Cup title by playing every match at home.
Here is @HoustonDynamo Gm Matt Jordan from last night Soccer Matters @espn975 addressing the removal of Dynamo mana… https://t.co/puMYgDlAqR— Glenn Davis (@Glenn Davis) 1565790929.0
Wilmer Cabrera guided the Dynamo back to the playoffs in 2017, taking the team as far as the Western Conference finals. His shortcomings - among them, inconsistency with team lineups, a lack of improving players despite tabbed a "teacher of the game" and self-victimization when phased with poor results - were covered up by his good early results, a blanket of protection that faded in the next two seasons.
The Dynamo were handicapped by his premature extension in early 2018 but ultimately made the decision to let him go in August. Assistant Davy Arnaud was named the Interim but failed to salvage the situation with nine matches remaining in the season. Even so, his ability to reinvigorate the team may be enough to convince the club of removing the interim tag.
The reality is the Dynamo are back to where they were in 2016 - reflecting on their current situation as they prepare to hire the club's next head coach. The last two hires did not turn out as well as the club would've liked and the gap between them and the rest of the league only continues to increase.
DaMarcus Beasley's beautiful strike got James Harden out his seat! #LeaguesCup https://t.co/n3qraaHQMh— ESPN (@ESPN) 1564021894.0
The best memory of the 2019 season for many will be the retirement of U.S. National Team Legend DaMarcus Beasley. The country's only participant in four FIFA World Cup tournaments earned a cup title but was hardly ever in reach of winning an MLS Cup in the Bayou City.
Despite his club form, his stature in the game is one that will be hard to match any other American player. Beasley played at historic clubs like PSV Eindhoven and Rangers F.C. and was part of the U.S. Men's best outing in the modern World Cup setup.
His farewell match was a bright spot in an otherwise low season and his goals at Guastatoya in the Concacaf Champions League and against Club American in the inaugural League's Cup stand among the best moments of the year.
In the long run, the acquisition of Christian Ramirez may be one of the more significant transfers in recent league history. The U.S. born striker has all the makings of a big time goalscorer and has made the best of playing time with the team.
"Superman" has picked up 5 goals and 1 assist in his 10 matches with the Houston Dynamo. As with any other promising player, he will flourish if accompanied by the proper team around him.
Fear the Beard! @JHarden13 joins the @HoustonDynamo ownership group. https://t.co/k03GVUCHj6 https://t.co/OrVPJ1sOkg— Major League Soccer (@Major League Soccer) 1563478224.0
In the bigger picture, Harden's involvement may just be as simple as a financial investment for the future. With a five percent ownership stake, it's hard to see the Houston Rockets star having any significant input in the comings and goings of the club.
Still, it's a significant event for many Dynamo fans as they got to see one of Houston's icons sporting an orange jersey.
The 2025 season hasn't gone according to script for the Houston Astros. Injuries, slumps, and a retooled roster have left fans asking whether this version of the Astros is underwhelming—or if, given all the turmoil, they might actually be overachieving.
When Houston dealt Kyle Tucker, a franchise cornerstone, the move raised eyebrows. Tucker was a consistent producer and an anchor in right field. In return, the Astros received infielder Isaac Paredes, pitcher Hayden Wesneski, and third baseman now outfielder Cam Smith—players who didn’t bring the same star power but offered versatility and upside.
Paredes has delivered as advertised. He’s brought steady production at the plate and the ability to play a solid third base. While he may not be with the team beyond 2027 if the front office sticks to its recent pattern of letting players walk in free agency, his presence right now is stabilizing an otherwise inconsistent lineup.
Then there’s Cam Smith, who might be the real key to this deal. After a slow start and questions about whether he or Zach Dezenzo was the better option in right field, Smith has surged. Over the past 30 days, he’s hit north of .300 and shown signs of becoming a long-term fixture. The biggest question now is positional: Is he Houston’s future in right field, or could he eventually slide over to third base if/when Paredes departs? That decision will ripple through future roster planning and could define how this trade is remembered.
In the meantime, however, he’s shown flashes of being a quality everyday player. But it’s not uncommon for young hitters to take a step back after an initial surge. The Astros need him to keep proving it, but the potential is unmistakable.
Underwhelming or overachieving?
Elsewhere on the roster, the results are mixed. Players like Jake Meyers and Victor Caratini, who came into the season with modest expectations, have performed admirably. Meanwhile, stars like José Altuve, Christian Walker, and Yainer Díaz have underperformed, leaving the offensive output uneven. Add in the extended absence of Yordan Álvarez and the loss of three-fifths of the starting rotation, and it's fair to say Houston has had more than its share of adversity.
King of the hill
One area where the Astros have arguably found a diamond in the rough is Bryan King. With a 1.52 ERA in 2025, King has passed the eye test as a potential long-term solution in high-leverage relief situations. He’s been more than capable, building on a solid 2.39 ERA in 2024. His performance has solidified his place in the bullpen, and he’s taken on ownership of his role. However, it’s important for the Astros to temper expectations, especially after the lessons learned from the Rafael Montero signing. King looks like the real deal, but he still has a ways to go before being considered a true elite option out of the 'pen.
What should we make of the Alex Bregman quad injury?
Bregman’s injury doesn’t really change the conversation around whether the Astros should have extended him. If anything, it highlights the complexity of roster decisions. Houston could’ve kept Bregman, shifted Paredes to first base, and potentially avoided spending big on Christian Walker. But injuries are part of the game—Yordan Álvarez has missed nearly half the season, and no one’s suggesting the Astros should regret signing him. Kyle Tucker missed significant time last year, too, and he’s about to land a massive contract. Players get hurt. That’s baseball.
Moving forward
While the Astros have struggled with injuries and inconsistent performances, they have managed to remain competitive—perhaps even overachieving given the circumstances. The team's depth, the surprising performances from certain players, and the emergence of promising new talent have allowed them to hold their ground, currently possessing a Wild Card spot in the AL if the season were to end today.
There's so much more to discuss! Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!
The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday!
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