Houston Dynamo 2 head coach Kenny Bundy signed a contract extension with the organization, the team announced today.
"Kenny is a tremendous asset to the Houston Dynamo FC organization and we are very fortunate to sign him to a well-deserved extension,” said Dynamo general manager Pat Onstad. “Kenny worked alongside Nick Kowba to build our MLS NEXT Pro side from scratch, led that team to the inaugural MLS NEXT Pro playoffs, and produced players and staff for our first team. He also stepped up when we asked him to take the helm of the first team and brought energy, organization and results in the final five games of the MLS regular season. We are grateful for Kenny’s commitment to Houston and hope to continue his development as one of the country’s most promising young coaches.”
Bundy led Dynamo 2 to a berth in the inaugural MLS NEXT Pro playoffs with a 14-5-5 record and the team finished in a three-way tie for first place in the Western Conference. Dynamo 2 finished unbeaten at home with a 10-0-1 record and closed their first campaign in MLS NEXT Pro tied for the fewest goals conceded in the league with 22.
The success of the second team facilitated opportunities for players like defender Talen Maples, who was named to the MLS NEXT Pro Best XI, to join the first team on a short-term contract in 2022. Forward Roberto Avila scored five goals to start the season in MLS NEXT Pro and became the first player in MLS NEXT Pro history to sign a first team contract from the second team affiliate. Additional contributions would follow when Dynamo 2 defender Micael made his MLS debut on Aug. 13 against Club de Foot Montreal and 17-year-old midfielder Brooklyn Raines made his regular season debut on Sept. 4 in Seattle.
"Kenny deserves a lot of credit for building and managing one of the strongest MLS NEXT Pro teams in the league,” said Dynamo assistant general manager Nick Kowba. “He lives the values of our club and created an environment around the second team that develops talent for our first team. I appreciate everything Kenny has done for the club and look forward to working alongside him to enhance our youth pathway.”
Bundy was named the Houston Dynamo FC interim head coach on Sept. 5 and finished with a 2-2-1 record. The team started a three-game stretch on Sept. 10 with a 0-0 draw against Sporting Kansas City and the team earned three points with a 3-1 victory over the New England Revolution on Sept. 13. The team earned their fourth road victory of the season following the international break with a 2-1 win in Tennessee over Nashville SC on Oct. 2.
"This is an exciting time to be part of the Houston Dynamo and I am grateful for the opportunity provided by ownership, Pat, Asher, and Nick to continue my development in Houston,” said Bundy. “I am proud of the work we accomplished with Dynamo 2, creating an environment that connects our Academy to our first team, qualifying for the MLS NEXT Pro playoffs, and signing players and staff to our first team. I am also appreciative of the opportunity to lead the first team for the final five games of the MLS season. The experience to work with our first team players was invaluable for my growth as a head coach. I am excited about the direction of the club and we are already hard at work preparing for the upcoming season.”
Bundy joined the club in 2016 and worked as a head coach for the Dynamo Academy U-19 and U-23 teams. The Tulsa, Okla. native has worked with elite athletes in a variety of roles since joining the club. In addition to his role with the Academy, Bundy has worked with both senior teams as an assistant coach. First in 2017 under Houston Dash interim head coach Omar Morales and again during the 2019 MLS season under Dynamo interim head coach Davy Arnaud. Additionally, Bundy coached Brazos Valley Cavalry FC to the 2019 USL League Two Mid-South Division Title and an appearance in that season’s conference finals match.
