Houston Dynamo FC’s newest Designated Player, Mexico captain Héctor Herrera, is eligible to make his debut for the Club one month from today when the Dynamo host in-state rivals FC Dallas on July 9, the Club announced today.
Herrera is the most significant international signing in Dynamo history, coming to Houston in the prime of his career from one of the biggest clubs in the world. The midfielder has played in more UEFA Champions League matches than any Mexican player in history and has represented his country in two World Cups, with his sights set on a third this winter.
Single-game tickets for that match start at just $24 and are available at houstondynamofc.com/tickets. Fans can also watch Herrera and the Dynamo face fellow Mexican National Team stars Carlos Vela and Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez along with longtime Dynamo rivals Sporting Kansas City through the City of Stars four-game plan, with prices starting at just $72.
Herrera is expected to arrive in Houston in late June and will be formally introduced in a news conference shortly after his arrival. Details for that event will be shared in the coming days.
“We are excited for Héctor to begin training with the team when he starts with the club later this month,” said Houston Dynamo FC general manager Pat Onstad. “The MLS secondary transfer window opens on July 7, which means his first eligible game will be at home against FC Dallas on July 9. We hope the whole city of Houston turns out to welcome him and support our push to make the 2022 Audi MLS Playoffs.”
Herrera signed a pre-contract with the Dynamo on March 2 before finishing the 2021-22 La Liga season with Atlético de Madrid. The midfielder helped lead Atlético to the Spanish league championship in 2020-21 and the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals this season. He also won three domestic trophies with Portuguese giants FC Porto, beginning with the league title for the 2017-18 season, and the 2013 and 2018 Portuguese Super Cup.
Internationally, the Tijuana, Baja California native has led the Mexico National Team for the past decade, recently made his 100th appearance with the senior Mexican National Team on June 5 against Ecuador in Chicago, and has represented
El Tri at the 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cup and winning the gold medal at the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London. The Olympic victory was not only Mexico’s first gold medal in soccer, it was the country’s only gold medal at the London Olympics and their second ever youth title.
Since Olympic glory, Herrera guided Mexico in continental and international competitions. He lifted his first trophy with the senior level at the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup with a 3-1 victory over Jamaica. In addition to his appearances at the 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cups, he also represented Mexico at the 2013 and 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup and the Copa America Centenario in 2016.
Herrera recently took Mexico to the finals of the 2021 CONCACAF Nations League and 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup, where he won the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player. His accolades at the regional level include CONCACAF Best XI honors in 2017 and 2018, as well as the IFFHS CONCACAF Best XI in 2020.
