HOUSTON (Nov. 13, 2024) – The 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season came to a close last month for Houston Dynamo 2 after a year that featured significant contributions from the Dynamo Academy and a breakout campaign from Dynamo 2 captain and midfielder Diego Gonzalez.
Dynamo Dos finished the regular season eighth in the Western Conference with 39 points and a 10-11-7 (WLD) record, securing their third consecutive postseason berth with one of the youngest rosters in MLS NEXT Pro. A total of 14 academy players earned minutes this year, including defender Isaac Mwakutuya and midfielder Mattheo Dimareli, who both played pivotal roles throughout the season and during the final push for playoffs. Notably, Dynamo Academy players born in 2007, 2008 and 2009 recorded more minutes (6,828) than any team in MLS NEXT Pro this season.
First-year Dos players also made significant impacts on both ends of the pitch. First-team forward Gabe Segal, who spent a majority of his minutes with the second team this season after Houston acquired him from New York City FC in February, led Dos with 10 goals. The 23-year-old also netted two goals in 13 appearances with the first team in 2024. Midfielder Ousmane Sylla, who Houston drafted in the second round of the 2024 MLS SuperDraft after he won the 2023 MAC Hermann Trophy during his senior season at Clemson University, added seven goals and five assists. Defender Femi Awodesu started all 28 matches for Dynamo 2 this season, providing leadership to the backline and tying for the most minutes (2,520) in league play.
One of the team’s highlights came midseason, when they went on a five-match unbeaten streak, including impressive victories over MNUFC2, LAFC 2, Austin FC II and a dominant 4-0 win versus North Texas SC. The win earned Dynamo 2 MLS NEXT Pro Team of the Matchweek honors for Matchweek 19, with standout performances from Dimareli and Segal, who scored a brace, and Gonzalez, who registered three assists.
On the individual front, Gonzalez was named to the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro Best XI and an MVP finalist after scoring six goals and recording 10 assists this season, while tying for the most assists and key passes (78) in league play. The 21-year-old was also named July’s MLS NEXT Pro Player of the Month after contributing seven goals in four matches. Mwakutuya also represented the Dynamo Academy at the MLS NEXT All-Star Game, joining first-team captain Héctor Herrera as Houston’s representatives for 2024 MLS All-Star Game festivities in July. Additionally, four players earned Matchweek Honors in Dimareli, Sylla, Gonzalez and forward Maddox Findlay.
Notably, this year also saw a change at the coaching helm, as Dynamo Academy U-15 Head Coach Jeremy Hurdle took charge as Dynamo 2 interim head coach after Kenny Bundy was promoted to interim assistant coach for the first team.
