HOUSTON (Feb. 19, 2024) – Houston Dynamo FC reached a long-term agreement with midfielder Adalberto “Coco” Carrasquilla on a new contract through the 2025 MLS Season with a club option for 2026 and 2027, the club announced today.
Carrasquilla was a consistent starter in Houston’s stalwart midfield last year, playing a key role in the Dynamo winning the 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, making a run to the Western Conference Final and earning a spot in the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup.
The 25-year-old appeared in 25 regular-season MLS matches for the Dynamo, amassing three goals and eight assists. Carrasquilla started all five of Houston’s MLS Cup Playoffs matches, recording a key assist in the first match versus Real Salt Lake to secure a 2-1 victory. Houston boasted a 16-10-11 (WLD) record when Carrasquilla was on the pitch last year.
“Coco is an exceptional talent, who is garnering significant international attention for his performances for both club and country over the past couple years,” said Houston Dynamo General Manager Pat Onstad. “Extending Coco’s deal was a priority for us this offseason, as he is an integral part of one of the best midfields in the league and a key contributor to our recent success. We are happy for Coco to commit to a new deal as we build upon the strong foundation set last year.”
Carrasquilla also had a breakout season with his native Panama in 2023, leading the national team to the Concacaf Gold Cup Final and earning the international tournament’s Best Player Award. The midfielder recorded two assists, most notably to Yoel Bárcenas from deep in midfield, to help Panama defeat the United States in an eventual penalty shootout in the semifinal. The midfielder will navigate two international tournaments this year as Panama begin the Second Round of the Concacaf Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026. Panama will also compete against the U.S. Men’s National Team, Uruguay and Bolivia in Group C of the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 this summer.
Carrasquilla just completed his third MLS season, arriving in Houston in August 2021 on loan from Spanish side FC Cartagena (Houston exercised the purchase option in May 2022). The Panamanian has totaled 67 appearances (56 starts) in regular season play with the Dynamo, scoring six goals and tallying 12 assists.
"Last year, our team proved that the Houston Dynamo can once again be true contenders in MLS,” said Carrasquilla. “My family has called Houston home for three years now and I look forward to working with my teammates to make our city proud of their team. We have been working hard all preseason and hope to build a strong campaign for the upcoming year.”
The Dynamo open the year on Feb. 20 when they face St. Louis CITY SC in the first leg of the Round One matchup in the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup. Houston will open the regular season on Feb. 24 when they host Sporting Kansas City at Shell Energy Stadium.
TRANSACTION: Houston Dynamo FC sign midfielder Adalberto Carrasquilla to a new contract through 2025 MLS season with a club option for 2026 and 2027.
