Houston Dynamo FC signed defender Tate Schmitt following a trade with Real Salt Lake for his player rights, both clubs announced today. The Dynamo sent a natural third round pick in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft to RSL for Schmitt’s rights.
"We’re excited to add Tate to our roster after a strong showing this preseason,” Dynamo general manager Pat Onstad said. “He adds valuable depth to our fullback position and we look forward to see him compete for minutes this season.”
The 25-year-old joins the Dynamo after spending the last four seasons with RSL and finished with 24 appearances for the club. His last appearance came off the bench against Austin FC in the opening round of the 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs. The defender scored two goals for Salt Lake last season in back-to-back starts for the club. He scored the game-winning goal in a 3-2 victory on the road over the New England Revolution on March 12 and again seven days later at home in a 2-1 victory over Nashville SC.
He first joined RSL prior to the start of the 2019 season as a Homegrown Player. He split time with the first team and Real Monarchs and joined the USL side as they claimed the USL Championship trophy in his rookie season. Schmitt finished with four appearances and three starts in his second campaign and joined Phoenix Rising FC on loan in 2021. He appeared in 23 matches for Phoenix as the team finished with an undefeated record at home.
The Phoenix, Ariz. native is a product of the RSL Academy and played collegiately at the University of Louisville. He scored 26 goals and tallied 17 assists in 80 appearances for the program. He won the 2018 ACC Championship Tournament MVP after leading Louisville to their first ACC title and led the team to the quarterfinals of the 2016 NCAA tournament.
Schmitt is the 12th new player added to the Houston Dynamo FC roster this offseason.
