Goalkeeper with great length and cup competition experience. Joined Dynamo via trade from D.C. United on December 8, 2014. Named Dynamo Defensive Player of the Year in 2016.
2018 MLS: Started in 26 games for the Dynamo this season and posted a record of 9-11-6 ... Recorded his ninth win of the season in a 3-2 win at Los Angeles Galaxy on October 28 ... Recorded his fourth clean sheet of the year in a 0-0 draw at Orlando City SC on September 22 ... Started in a 1-1 draw against FC Dallas on July 21, stopping his third career penalty kick in MLS regular-season play which earned him a spot in the MLS Team of the Week for Week 21 ... Recorded his third clean sheet of the season in a 0-0 draw against Colorado Rapids on July 14 ... Recorded his second clean sheet of the season in a 3-0 win against Minnesota United FC on July 7 ... Recorded his first clean sheet of the season in a 2-0 win against Colorado Rapids on June 9 ... Made his season debut in a 5-1 win against Toronto FC on April 21, stopping his second career penalty kick in MLS regular-season play
LAMAR HUNT U.S. OPEN CUP: 2018: started in two games to help the Dynamo win the 2018 Lamas Hunt U.S. Open Cup; saved two penalties in the penalty shutout win against Los Angeles FC in the semifinals on August 8 and kept a clean sheet in a 3-0 win against Philadelphia Union during the final on September 26 ... 2017: started in two games for Houston Dynamo ... 2016,: started in three games for Houston Dynamo ... 2015: started in three games for Houston Dynamo ... 2013: started in four games for D.C. United ... 2012: started in a 2-1 win at Richmond Kicker on May 29 while playing for D.C. United
2017 MLS: Made his debut in the Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs in a 2-1 win at Portland Timbers on November 5 ... Started and played 90 minutes in eight games during the regular season ... Nominated to the MLS All-Star Game... Recorded Dynamo's second clean sheet of the season and his eleventh in a 4-0 win vs. Orlando City SC on 5/6 ... Made his season debut in a 2-2 tie vs. Minnesota United on 4/15 ... Dressed for first time of the season in a 4-1 win vs. New York Red Bulls on 4/1 ... Missed the first three games of the season due to an injury in the right knee ... OPEN CUP: Started and played 120 minutes in a 3-2 win at North Carolina FC on June 14 ... Started and played 90 minutes in a 2-0 loss against Sporting Kansas City in the Round of 16 on June 28
2016 MLS: Set career highs in appearances (26), starts (24), saves (89), shutouts (5), and wins (5) … Named Dynamo Defensive Player of the Year … Finished season with 16 consecutive starts … Matched career high with seven saves at Seattle Sounders FC on 10/12, including a stunning double save against Erik Friberg that was named MLS Save of the Week … Won MLS Save of the Week for diving stop against Alberto Quintero of San Jose Earthquakes on 8/19 … Set career high with third shutout of the season on 7/23 vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC … Recorded first career assist on 5/15 vs. Real Salt Lake, launching a long goal kick that FW Giles Barnes ran on to and slotted home for the game-winning goal … Started first seven games, including first Opening Day start on 3/6 vs. New England Revolution … Started all three matches of the Dynamo's U.S. Open Cup run
2015 MLS: Played in three games (all starts) and registered five saves
2014 MLS: Did not make an MLS appearance while serving as Bill Hamid's backup at D.C. United
2013 MLS: In his third season with D.C. United, Willis started all nine games he appeared in and finished the regular season with 28 saves in 810 minutes with a goal against average of 2.22. Willis registered one shutout on 7/7 in a tie against the Colorado Rapids, and he recorded his first regular season win of the season on 8/3 in a 3-1 victory over the Montreal Impact. Willis led the Black-and-Red to the finals of the 2013 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open cup finals with four consecutive victories in the tournament. On 5/28, he saved two penalties against the Richmond Kickers as the team advances in penalty kicks and then anchored the team in consecutive 3-1 victories over the Philadelphia Union on 6/12 and the New England Revolution on 6/26 to advance to the semifinals. On 8/7, he earned his third straight U.S. Open Cup victory with a 2-0 defeat of the Chicago Fire.
2012 MLS: Willis made appearances in 11 games in his second season with United, starting 10 of them. Willis made 31 saves – a career high – in 972 minutes in the 2012 season. Willis registered 2 shutouts for the Black-and-Red, both in 0-0 ties to Vancouver Whitecaps FC on 3/24 and Seattle Sounders FC on 4/7. In Leg 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, Willis enter the game to save a re-taken penalty kick en route to a 1-0 series-clinching win against the New York Red Bulls.
2011 MLS: Willis made his MLS debut on 8/13 in the 4-0 win against expansion side Vancouver Whitecaps FC. The University of Denver graduate had a memorable first outing for the Black-and-Red, recording six saves and earning his first career win and shutout. Willis played three matches (three starts) for United, registering one shutout and 12 saves in 270 minutes of action during the 2011 MLS season.
COLLEGE: 2010: Joe Willis started 12 games for the University of Denver Pioneers his senior season, recording four shutouts. He made 64 saves for a 0.877 saves percentage. He also faced 203 shots, allowing only nine goals for a 0.72 goals against average. To cap off his season, Willis was named All-MPSF. 2009: During his junior year, Willis led the Pioneers by playing in 19 games and recording four shutouts, compiling a 0.737 save percentage. He was named MPSF Player of the Week for the week of September 28, as well as being named to the Big West Challenge All-Tournament Team and the All-MPSF First Team. 2008: Willis’ sophomore season saw him start 15 games, making 71 saves while only allowing 17 goals for a 0.807 save percentage. He finished the season with a 1.18 goals against average. Willis was named team MVP, as well as being named to the All-MPSF First Team and the NSCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Far West All-Region Third Team. 2007: Willis redshirted the 2007 campaign. 2006: Willis started five games and compiled a 3-1-1 record with three shutouts and only allowed three goals as a freshman.
YOUTH: Willis played club soccer for St. Louis Scott Gallagher, where he led his team to three consecutive state championships between 2004 and 2006. He also played in the USL Premier Development League with the Real Colorado Foxes.
