Houston Dynamo FC has signed midfielder Joe Corona to a multi-year contract, the Club announced today. The contract runs through the 2022 season with a club option for an additional year in 2023.
Corona brings extensive experience to the Dynamo midfield, having played nearly 375 competitive matches for club and country in his career. He made more than 250 appearances in Mexico’s first division for Club Tijuana, Veracruz, Dorados and Club América from 2010-19 and was a part of two league-winning sides – with Club Tijuana in the 2012-13 Apertura and with Club América in the 2018-19 Apertura.
“We are pleased to add a player of Joe’s quality and character to our midfield ahead of the 2021 season,” said Club Senior Vice President and General Manager Matt Jordan. “We are confident Joe’s experience in MLS, LigaMX and at the international level will make him a positive addition for our group both on and off the field.”
The Los Angeles native has earned 23 caps with the U.S. Men’s National Team, most recently appearing in a 1-1 draw with France in June 2018. He scored three goals at the senior international level, including the match-winner in a 3-0 win over Nicaragua on July 15, 2017 in the 2017 Concacaf Gold Cup.
Corona was a key part of two Gold Cup-winning teams for the USMNT, appearing twice in the 2017 tournament and playing in five matches during the 2013 tournament, including the final. He also competed at the Under-23 level during the 2012 Olympic qualifying campaign and scored four goals in three appearances for the U23 side.
“We’re really excited to have Joe on board,” Head Coach Tab Ramos said. “He’s a player that fits into the type of midfielder profile that we were looking for, and he’s a great person to continue to build our culture going forward.”
The 30-year-old spent the 2019 and 2020 MLS seasons with the LA Galaxy where he scored two goals and added three assists in 49 appearances for the club across all competitions. The midfielder began his professional career with Club Tijuana in 2010, making his professional debut on April 3, 2010 against Necaxa as a 58th-minute substitute.
Corona won the 2012-2013 Apertura title with Tijuana. After five years with Club Tijuana the midfielder joined C.D. Veracruz on loan.
Corona spent two seasons with Dorados de Sinaloa from 2015-16 before rejoining Club Tijuana from 2016-18. He moved to Mexican giants Club America for two seasons before briefly rejoining Club Tijuana and then moving to the LA Galaxy in MLS ahead of the 2019 season.
Houston obtained the right to negotiate with Corona after selecting him in Stage Two of the MLS Re-Entry Process last Tuesday, Dec. 22. Prior to the Re-Entry Process, Corona was picked by Austin FC in the 2020 MLS Expansion Draft on Dec. 16; however, he did not sign a contract with the expansion side and did not opt out of the Re-Entry Process, which made him available for Houston.
With the addition of Corona, Houston Dynamo FC now has 23 players under contract for the 2021 Major League Soccer season. The 2021 season schedule is expected to be announced early next year.
TRANSACTION: Houston Dynamo FC sign midfielder Joe Corona to a contract through the 2022 season with a club option for 2023.
