One year ago today, a new era of Houston soccer was born with the arrival of new ownership for the Houston Dynamo and Houston Dash. While both teams are halfway through what is technically only Ted Segal’s first full MLS and NWSL seasons as controlling owner, the New Jersey native has brought immense change to all parts of the Club’s structure – with more exciting announcements on the horizon.
New and familiar faces oversee refreshed leadership: Segal’s first marquee addition to the Club was the hiring of legendary goalkeeper Pat Onstad as Dynamo General Manager in October of 2021. Onstad, in turn, made his first marquee addition to the Club in the form of new Head Coach Paulo Nagamura, with the two working in tandem on a cultural and technical overhaul of the Houston Dynamo. The Dash made history of their own under Segal, appointing Jessica O’Neill as the team’s first President in February of this year. O’Neill has ushered in a new era at the Dash on and off the field, including the recent hire of Juan Carlos Amorós as Interim Head Coach and a recently-publicized search for a separate General Manager.
The Bayou City once again is a City of Stars: As stated in his introductory press conference, Segal has invested in giving both technical staffs the tools on the field to succeed. After the Dynamo signed Teenage Hadebe as a Designated Player on Segal’s first day in charge, the Dash were the next to welcome a star to Houston. UANL Tigres star Maria Sánchez joined the side at the turn of the year, ready to fulfil her dream stateside after a successful loan spell with the Dash in 2021. The forward has tallied a league-leading three assists so far in the NWSL regular season.
Segal brought another Designated Player to the Dynamo in the form of Paraguayan striker Sebastián Ferreira in late January. The forward has seven goals in his inaugural campaign in Houston, earning his first full international call-up with his home nation in the process.
The Mexican starpower coming to Houston did not stop with Sánchez, of course. The Club is on the precipice of welcoming Mexican national team captain Héctor Herrera, who signed a pre-contract with the Club during his tenure with Atlético de Madrid last March and is set to make his Houston debut on July 9 when the Dynamo host arch rivals FC Dallas.
Investment in our Community: Segal’s commitment to Houston doesn’t only apply to the city’s soccer Club. While taking over as Dynamo Charities President, Segal has made over $200,000 in charitable contributions across a wide range of foundations, including:
- Dynamo Charities
- The Houston Food Bank
- Uvalde Robb Elementary School Fund
- Blue Angels Military Organization
Bringing the World Cup to Houston: In addition to charitable foundations, Segal committed money to Houston’s World Cup 2026 bid committee. As part of those efforts, Segal funded the committee’s “Girls Intro to Soccer” Program, as well as the Boys and Girls Club “Just Kickin’ It” soccer program. Both programs provided grassroots soccer instruction for Houston children for eight straight weeks.
Multi-phase upgrades come to PNC Stadium: Building on the organization’s momentum as it returned to full-capacity crowds, the Club announced the beginning of a multi-phased renovation process to PNC Stadium in July of 2021. Headline the current slate of upgrades is the safe-standing section, which allows 1,200 of Houston’s most passionate soccer fans to consume the north end of the stadium. Additionally, the Shell Energy Sports Deck and the Pitch Zone have opened a whole new way to experience Dynamo and Dash matches. The next phase of renovations to PNC Stadium is expected to be announced later this morning.
