Dynamo decline contract options on three players and expand open roster spots to 11

Houston Dynamo FC declined the contract options of forward Darwin Quintero, midfielder Memo Rodriguez and defender Zeca, the Club announced today. In total, the Dynamo declined eight contract options following the 2022 season and enter the offseason with 11 open roster spots, including eight senior roster spots.     

“It is not easy to say goodbye to players like Darwin, Memo, and Zeca, who made significant contributions on the field, in the locker room, and in the community. However, we are moving the club in a different direction this offseason and we felt these decisions were in the best interest of the players and Houston Dynamo FC,” said Dynamo general manager, Pat Onstad. “We want to thank Darwin, Memo, and Zeca for their service to club and the city of Houston, and we wish them well.” 

Houston announced earlier this month that the team exercised 2023 contract options on forward Corey Baird and defenders Ethan Bartlow, Griffin Dorsey and Adam Lundqvist. Houston also announced that the club declined the 2022 contract options for forward Mateo Bajamich, defender Ian Hoffman, midfielder Marcelo Palomino, forward Thiago and defender Zarek Valentin.  

The club extended a bona fide offer to Sam Junqua earlier this month. Junqua and midfielder Darwin Cerén were out of contract following the 2022 season.

Houston opened two additional senior roster spots by trading forward Fafa Picault to Nashville SC on Nov. 9 for up to $250,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM). The Dynamo acquired an additional $500,000 in GAM two days later when the team traded defender Tim Parker to St. Louis CITY SC.  

The Dynamo enter the 2023 season with the following 15 players under contract: forward Beto Avila, midfielder Adalberto “Coco” Carrasquilla, midfielder Juan Castilla, goalkeeper Steve Clark, forward Sebas Ferreira, defender Teenage Hadebe, midfielder Héctor Herrera, goalkeeper Michael Nelson, midfielder Brooklyn Raines, midfielder Daniel Rios, defender Daniel Steres, forward Thor Úlfarsson, goalkeeper Xavier Valdez, midfielder Matias Vera. Forward Nelson Quiñónes remains on the roster on loan from Once Caldas S.A. in Colombia.  

Houston’s updated roster can be found below listed alphabetically by position: 

Goalkeepers (3): Steve Clark, Michael Nelson, Xavier Valdez 

Defenders (5): Ethan Bartlow, Griffin Dorsey, Teenage Hadebe, Adam Lundqvist, Daniel Steres  

Midfielders (6): Adalberto Carrasquilla, Juan Castilla, Héctor Herrera, Brooklyn Raines, Daniel Rios, Matías Vera 

Forwards (5): Beto Avila, Corey Baird, Sebas Ferreira, Nelson Quiñónes, Thor Úlfarsson