Houston Dynamo Football Club (HDFC) continued its efforts in 2023 to rebuild the business into a best-in-class organization across the Houston and sports landscapes. The club, under the leadership of majority owner and Chairman Ted Segal, remains focused on creating sustainable and systematic changes to better serve its fan base, staff, players and the Houston community.
CLUB INVESTMENT
Since his purchase of the club in June 2021, Segal has made significant investments across club operated facilities. HDFC and Shell Energy Stadium hosted 49 events during the 2023 calendar, welcoming 20 percent more visitors year-over-year to enjoy upgraded seats across the venue and the new East Club. Additionally, inclusion of 10 local restaurant providers to serve fans with local food options proved to be overwhelmingly successful and helped contribute to increased show rates and per caps across events.
In July, HDFC moved its front office operations into a new state-of-the art, 27,000 square foot building in East Downtown. The new HDFC headquarters (HQ), just north of Shell Energy Stadium, serves as the home for the club’s front office staff and offers a unique event space with views of the stadium to host fans, corporate partners and community leaders throughout the year.
HDFC expanded its corporate presence in 2023 adding new partnerships with many local and national companies including Fortune 500 listed ConocoPhillips and Verizon, joining to support both the Dash and Dynamo in efforts to serve and engage fans and the Houston community.
HOUSTON DASH
With one of the stingiest defenses in NWSL history, the Houston Dash conceded only 18 goals this season, marking the fewest goals allowed in league play this year. This league record was led notably by goalkeeper Jane Campbell and her league-leading 91 saves in her seventh season with the Dash.
Campbell was crowned the 2023 NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year, marking the first time she, or any Dash player, was named to an individual NWSL end of year award in the club’s 10-year history. Additionally, the Standford product was named to the 2023 NWSL Best XI. Campbell’s stellar campaign earned her a call up to the United States Women’s National Team during the final FIFA international window of 2023.
HOUSTON DYNAMO FC
The 2023 MLS campaign, led by first year head coach Ben Olsen, proved to be a resurgent one for Houston Dynamo FC. The team returned to the postseason for the first time since 2017 and won their first trophy since 2018. The Dynamo were crowned the 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup champions following a comprehensive 2-1 victory on the road over Inter Miami CF. As a result of its Open Cup triumph, the Dynamo qualified for the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup. Olsen also led the Dynamo to the 2023 MLS Western Conference Final earlier this month, the Dynamo’s eighth appearance in a conference final since 2006.
The team navigated a near total overhaul and the addition of 17 new players to the roster highlighted by midfielder Artur, defender Franco Escobar and defender Erik Sviatchenko. All three players brought veteran leadership as well as an extensive track record of winning at the highest level. The team was anchored by captain Héctor Herrera, who was named to the MLS Best XI and represented Houston at the 2023 MLS All-Star Game in Washington D.C. The roster makeover led by Dynamo General Manager Pat Onstad and Technical Director Asher Mendelsohn helped the Dynamo finish as one of the last four teams to compete in the postseason this year and one of four MLS teams to win a trophy in 2023.
A LOOK TO 2024
With less than 10 weeks remaining until the anticipated return of professional soccer in Houston, the entire HDFC organization is at work to plan for 2024.
Shell Energy Stadium will host major events to start the year including the AT&T Playoff Playlist Live! as part of the College Football Playoff festivities. This free concert series runs from Jan. 5-7 and features Jon Pardi, Jack Harlow, Jake Owen, Latto, Megan Moroney and KIDZ BOP. Additional events include the recently announced Concacaf W Gold Cup matches starting on Feb. 22 and the return of the Concacaf Champions Cup later that month.
Players from both teams will return to Houston in January to prepare for their respective seasons at Shell Energy Stadium. For updates and additional information about HDFC, visit HoustonDynamoFC.com.
