2018 Houston Dynamo season
The 2018 Houston Dynamo season was the club's 13th season of existence since joining Major League Soccer in the 2006 season.[2] The club entered the campaign coming off its 7th Conference Final appearance in 13 years, the most among any MLS team in that time span.[3] It was the team's second year under the leadership of Head Coach Wilmer Cabrera and fourth season under General Manager Matt Jordan.[4] On the front office end, it was Gabriel Brener's third season as majority owner and Chris Canetti's eighth as the President of Business Operations.[5][6]
| 2018 season | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Owner | Gabriel Brener | ||
| General manager | Matt Jordan | ||
| Head coach | Wílmer Cabrera | ||
| Stadium | BBVA Compass Stadium | ||
| MLS | Conference: 9th Overall: 17th | ||
| MLS Cup Playoffs | Did not qualify | ||
| 2018 U.S. Open Cup | Winners | ||
| Texas Derby | Runner-up | ||
| Top goalscorer | League: Mauro Manotas (19 goals) All: Mauro Manotas (25 goals) | ||
| Highest home attendance | 22,320 vs LA Galaxy (May 5) | ||
| Lowest home attendance | 1,930 vs Minnesota United FC (June 18) | ||
| Average home league attendance | 16,906[1] | ||
|  | |||
The Dynamo failed to make the MLS Cup Playoffs for the fourth time in five years but reached success in cup play, lifting its first U.S. Open Cup title - earning qualification to the 2019 CONCACAF Champions League.
Season Overview
    
    Preseason
    
Roster
    
- As of October 29, 2018[7]
| No. | Name | Nationality | Position | Date of birth (Age) | Signed from | Signed in | Apps. | Goals | 
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | ||||||||
| 1 | Tyler Deric (HGP) |  | GK | August 30, 1988 (age 30) | North Carolina Tar Heels | 2009 | 83 | 0 | 
| 18 | Chris Seitz |  | GK | March 12, 1987 (age 31) | FC Dallas | 2017 | 5 | 0 | 
| 23 | Joe Willis |  | GK | August 10, 1988 (age 30) | D.C. United | 2015 | 63 | 0 | 
| 26 | Michael Nelson |  | GK | February 10, 1995 (age 23) | Southern Methodist University | 2018 | 0 | 0 | 
| Defenders | ||||||||
| 2 | Alejandro Fuenmayor |  | DF | August 29, 1996 (age 22) | Carabobo FC | 2018 | 22 | 3 | 
| 3 | Adolfo Machado |  | DF | February 14, 1985, (age 33) | Saprissa | 2017 | 54 | 0 | 
| 4 | Philippe Senderos | .svg.png.webp) | DF | February 14, 1985, (age 33) | Rangers | 2017 | 10 | 4 | 
| 7 | DaMarcus Beasley |  | DF | May 24, 1982 (age 36) | Puebla | 2014 | 116 | 3 | 
| 14 | Adam Lundkvist |  | DF | March 20, 1994 (age 24) | IF Elfsborg | 2018 | 16 | 0 | 
| 15 | Dylan Remick |  | DF | May 19, 1991 (Age 27) | Seattle Sounders FC | 2017 | 14 | 1 | 
| 16 | Kevin Garcia |  | DF | August 21, 1990 (age 28) | Rio Grande Valley | 2016 | 18 | 1 | 
| 20 | A. J. DeLaGarza |  | DF | November 4, 1987 (age 30) | LA Galaxy | 2017 | 34 | 0 | 
| 22 | Leonardo |  | DF | February 5, 1988 (age 30) | LA Galaxy | 2017 | 54 | 3 | 
| 30 | Conor Donovan |  | DF | January 8, 1996 (age 22) | Rio Grande Valley | 2018 | 0 | 0 | 
| 33 | Jared Watts |  | DF | February 3, 1992 (age 26) | Colorado Rapids | 2018 | 7 | 0 | 
| Midfielders | ||||||||
| 5 | Juan David Cabezas |  | MF | February 27, 1991 (age 27) | Deportivo Cali | 2017 | 33 | 1 | 
| 6 | Eric Alexander |  | MF | April 14, 1988 (age 30) | Montreal Impact | 2016 | 43 | 1 | 
| 8 | Memo Rodríguez (HGP) |  | MF | December 27, 1995 (age 22) | Rio Grande Valley | 2017 | 28 | 3 | 
| 10 | Tomás Martínez (DP) |  | MF | March 7, 1995 (age 23) | Braga | 2017 | 41 | 7 | 
| 11 | Andrew Wenger |  | MF | December 15, 1990 (age 27) | Philadelphia Union | 2016 | 76 | 10 | 
| 12 | Arturo Alvarez |  | MF | June 28, 1985 (age 33) | Chicago Fire | 2018 | 18 | 0 | 
| 13 | Luis Gil |  | MF | November 14, 1993 (age 24) | loan from Querétaro F.C. | 2018 | 12 | 0 | 
| 24 | Darwin Cerén |  | MF | December 31, 1989 (age 28) | San Jose Earthquakes | 2018 | 24 | 1 | 
| 25 | Eric Bird |  | MF | April 8, 1993 (age 25) | Rio Grande Valley | 2017 | 6 | 0 | 
| 27 | Boniek García |  | MF | September 4, 1984 (age 34) | Olimpia | 2012 | 169 | 13 | 
| Forwards | ||||||||
| 9 | Mauro Manotas |  | ST | July 15, 1995 (age 23) | Uniautónoma | 2015 | 97 | 35 | 
| 17 | Alberth Elis (DP) |  | ST | February 12, 1996 (age 22) | Monterrey | 2017 | 56 | 21 | 
| 19 | Mac Steeves |  | ST | July 31, 1994 (age 24) | Providence College | 2018 | 3 | 0 | 
| 21 | Ronaldo Peña |  | ST | March 10, 1997 (age 21) | Caracas FC | 2018 | 9 | 1 | 
| 31 | Romell Quioto |  | ST | August 9, 1991 (age 27) | CD Olimpia | 2017 | 54 | 13 | 
Player movement
    
    In
    
Per Major League Soccer and club policies terms of the deals do not get disclosed.
| Date | Player | Position | Previous Club | Notes | Ref | 
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 7, 2017 |  Juan David Cabezas | MF |  Deportivo Cali | Full Rights Purchased | [8] | 
| December 10, 2017 |  Arturo Alvarez | MF |  Chicago Fire | Trade | [9] | 
| December 13, 2017 |  Alberth Elis | FW |  C.F. Monterrey | Full Rights Purchased, Designated Player | [10] | 
| December 15, 2017 |  Chris Seitz | GK |  FC Dallas | Free Agent | [11] | 
| December 22, 2017 |  Eric Bird | MF |  RGV FC Toros | Signed | [12] | 
| January 16, 2018 |  Alejandro Fuenmayor | DF |  Caraboba FC | Full Rights Purchased | [13] | 
| January 19, 2018 |  Darwin Ceren | MF |  San Jose Earthquakes | Trade | [14] | 
| January 19, 2018 |  Michael Nelson | GK | Southern Methodist University (College) | MLS SuperDraft | [15] | 
| January 19, 2018 |  Mac Steeves | FW | Providence College | MLS SuperDraft | [16] | 
| March 28, 2018 |  Jared Watts | DF |  Colorado Rapids | Trade | [17] | 
| April 26, 2018 |  Adam Lundqvist | DF |  IF Elfsborg | Full Rights Purchased | [18] | 
| July 5, 2018 |  Ronaldo Peña | FW |  Caracas FC | Full Rights Purchased | [19] | 
Out
    
| Date | Player | Position | Destination Club | Notes | Ref | 
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 5, 2017 |  Alex | MF |  Suwon FC | Contract expired | [20] | 
| December 5, 2017 |  Christian Lucatero | MF |  Club Necexa | Contract option declined | [20] | 
| December 5, 2017 |  Rico Clark | MF |  Columbus Crew SC | Contract option declined | [20] | 
| December 5, 2017 |  Taylor Hunter | DF |  Colorado Springs Switchbacks | Contract option declined | [20] | 
| December 5, 2017 |  Vicente Sánchez | FW | Retired | Contract option declined | [20] | 
| December 5, 2017 |  Jalil Anibaba | DF |  New England Revolution | Contract option declined | [20] | 
| December 5, 2017 |  Calle Brown | GK |  Seattle Sounders FC | Contract option declined | [20] | 
| December 5, 2017 |  Joe Holland | MF |  Pittsburgh Riverhounds | Contract option declined | [20] | 
| January 25, 2018 |  Erick Torres | FW |  Pumas UNAM | Transfer | [21] | 
| May 9, 2018 |  Charlie Ward | MF |  San Antonio FC | Waived | [22] | 
| June 5, 2018 |  George Malki | DF | Waived | [23] | 
Loans
    
Per Major League Soccer and club policies terms of the deals do not get disclosed.
In
    
| Date | Player | Position | Loaned from | Notes | Ref | 
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 23, 2018 |  Luis Gil | MF |  Querétaro F.C. | Season long loan | [24] | 
Coaching staff
    
As of 17 January 2018[25]
| Name | Position | 
|---|---|
| Wilmer Cabera | Head coach | 
| Michael Dellorusso | First Assistant Coach | 
| Davy Arnaud | Assistant coach | 
| Paul Rogers | Goalkeeper coach | 
| Paul Caffrey | Sports Performance Director/ Fitness Coach | 
| Steve Fell | Assistant Fitness Coach | 
| Oliver Gage | Head of Performance Analyst / Technical Recruitment | 
Competitions
    
    Major League Soccer
    
Matches
    
Win Draw Loss
| March 3 11 | Houston Dynamo | 4–0 | Atlanta United | Houston, Texas | 
| 2:30 PM CST | Wenger  5' Senderos  23' Manotas  27' Cerén  45+5' Seitz  61' | Report | González Pírez  32' McCann  34' Gressel  45+7' | Stadium: BBVA Compass Stadium Attendance: 20,377 Referee: Allen Chapman | 
| March 10 12 | Houston Dynamo | 1–2 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | Houston, Texas | 
| 5:00 PM CST | Senderos  29' Elis  39' Cerén  65' | Report | Teibert  12' Kamara  28' (pen) Shea  49' Marinovic  88' | Stadium: BBVA Compass Stadium Attendance: 16,082 Referee: Ted Unkel | 
| March 17 13 | D.C. United | 2–2 | Houston Dynamo | Germantown, Maryland | 
| 12:30 PM CDT | Acosta  22'  90+7' Mattocks  50' Mora  83' | Report | Alexander  1' Elis  30' Manotas  31' | Stadium: Maryland SoccerPlex Attendance: 5,128 Referee: David Gantar | 
| March 31 14 | Houston Dynamo | 0–2 | New England Revolution | Houston, Texas | 
| 7:30 PM CDT | Beasley  35' Machado  69' Fuenmayor  86' | Report | Bunbury  15' Somi  52' Fagúndez  64' Penilla  71' | Stadium: BBVA Compass Stadium Attendance: 17,156 Referee: Sorin Stoica | 
| April 14 15 | San Jose Earthquakes | 2–2 | Houston Dynamo | San Jose, California | 
| 9:30 PM CDT | Eriksson  26' Affolter  31' Wondolowski  71' Hyka  85' | Report | Martínez  36',  48' Manotas  63' Elis  65' Machado  87' Cerén  90+2' | Stadium: Avaya Stadium Attendance: 17,822 Referee: Nima Saghafi | 
| April 21 16 | Houston Dynamo | 5–1 | Toronto FC | Houston, Texas | 
| 3:00 PM CDT | Manotas  3' Leonardo  7' Alexander  46' Elis  60' Quioto  77' | Report | Taintor  29',  52' Hamilton  79' | Stadium: BBVA Compass Stadium Attendance: 17,109 Referee: Drew Fischer | 
| April 28 17 | Minnesota United FC | 2–1 | Houston Dynamo | Minneapolis, Minnesota | 
| 7:00 PM CDT | Quintero  40' (pen) Schüller  65' Ibson  70' | Report | Elis  10' Fuenmayor  39' Cerén  55' | Stadium: TCF Bank Stadium Attendance: 21,574 Referee: Ted Unkel | 
| May 5 18 | Houston Dynamo | 3–2 | LA Galaxy | Houston, Texas | 
| 7:30 PM CDT | Fuenmayor  3' Quioto  47' Rodriguez  90' | Report | Kitchen  20' Ciani  34' Cole  36' Giovani  39' Kamara  85' | Stadium: BBVA Compass Stadium Attendance: 22,320 Referee: Alan Kelly | 
| May 11 19 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 2–2 | Houston Dynamo | Vancouver, British Columbia | 
| 9:30 PM CDT | Aja  44' Kamara  61' Waston  90+4' | Report | Martínez  35',  90' O. García  64' Álvarez  88' Manotas  90' | Stadium: BC Place Attendance: 18,813 Referee: Hilario Grajeda | 
| May 20 10 | Chicago Fire | 2–3 | Houston Dynamo | Bridgeview, Illinois | 
| 3:00 PM CDT | Nikolić  14' Diego Campos  16' Mo Adams  38' Richard Sánchez  83' Rafael Ramos  90+1' | Report | Romell Quioto  4',  79' Alberth Elis  56' (pen.),  80' García  67' Joe Willis  90+6' | Stadium: Toyota Park Attendance: 14,206 Referee: Silviu Petrescu | 
| May 25 11 | Houston Dynamo | 3–1 | New York City FC | Houston, Texas | 
| 8:00 PM CDT | Fuenmayor  16',  21' Martínez  69' Elis  80',  80' | Report | Villa  6',  36' Callens  89' | Stadium: BBVA Compass Stadium Attendance: 18,123 Referee: Allen Chapman | 
| May 30 12 | Real Salt Lake | 2–1 | Houston Dynamo | Sandy, Utah | 
| 8:30 PM CDT | L. Silva  34' Beckerman  82' M. Silva  90+7' | Report | Martínez  28' Alexander  70' Elis  75' Romell Quioto  90+6' | Stadium: Rio Tinto Stadium Attendance: 16,613 Referee: David Gantar | 
| June 2 13 | Montreal Impact | 1–0 | Houston Dynamo | Montreal, Quebec | 
| 6:30 PM CDT | Vargas  44' Edwards  65' | Report | Elis  29' Gil  33' Lundqvist  69' Martinez  84' | Stadium: Saputo Stadium Attendance: 17,512 Referee: Robert Sibiga | 
| June 9 14 | Houston Dynamo | 2–0 | Colorado Rapids | Houston, Texas | 
| 8:00 PM CDT | Martinez  30' Manotas  36' (pen.) | Report | Boli  45+4' Wynne  55' | Stadium: BBVA Compass Stadium Attendance: 16,058 Referee: Drew Fischer | 
| June 23 15 | Sporting Kansas City | 3–2 | Houston Dynamo | Kansas City, Kansas | 
| 7:30 PM CDT | Espinoza  27' Sallói  59' Diego Rubio  85' Shelton  88' | Report | Manotas  2',  45' Alexander  22'  87' Willis  55' Fuenmayor  90+2' | Stadium: Children's Mercy Park Attendance: 20,081 Referee: Alan Kelly | 
| July 3 16 | Houston Dynamo | 2–2 | Los Angeles FC | Houston, Texas | 
| 8:00 PM CDT | Fuenmayor  30' Oscar Boniek Garcia  56' Manotas  90+4' Senderos  90+6' | Report | Blessing  5' Zimmerman  22' Diomande  27' Kaye  72' Blackmon  75' | Stadium: BBVA Compass Stadium Attendance: 16,037 Referee: Armando Villareal | 
| July 7 17 | Houston Dynamo | 3–0 | Minnesota United FC | Houston, Texas | 
| 8:00 PM CDT | Senderos  36', 52',  41' Lundqvist  72' Elis  90+2' | Report | Mears  5' Gómez  62' Ibson  75' Miller  78' Heath  88' | Stadium: BBVA Compass Stadium Attendance: 13,947 Referee: Kevin Stott | 
| July 14 18 | Colorado Rapids | 0–0 | Houston Dynamo | Commerce City, Colorado | 
| 8:00 PM CDT | Smith  27' | Report | Cerén  85' | Stadium: Dick's Sporting Goods Park Attendance: 14,327 Referee: Ted Unkel | 
| July 21 19 | Houston Dynamo | 1–1 | FC Dallas | Houston, Texas | 
| 8:00 PM CDT | Manotas  8' Machado  60' Rodriguez  87' | Report | Hedges  1' | Stadium: BBVA Compass Stadium Attendance: 19,295 Referee: Hilario Grajeda | 
| July 25 20 | Houston Dynamo | 1–3 | Philadelphia Union | Houston, Texas | 
| 8:00 PM CDT | Manotas  10' Martinez  59' Cerén  90+2' Fuenmayor  90+5' | Report | Bedoya  34' Rosenberry  45+1' McKenzie  53' Sapong  65' Burke  70' Picault  90+6' | Stadium: BBVA Compass Stadium Attendance: 13,094 Referee: Joseph Dickerson | 
| July 28 21 | Portland Timbers | 2–1 | Houston Dynamo | Portland, Oregon | 
| 10:00 PM CDT | Blanco  7'  39' Powell  9' Asprilla  17' Adi  80' | Report | Quioto  12' Elis  17' Watts  26' | Stadium: Providence Park Attendance: 21,144 Referee: Nima Saghafi | 
| August 4 22 | Houston Dynamo | 0–1 | Sporting Kansas City | Houston, Texas | 
| 8:00 PM CDT | Quioto  4' Fuenmayor  14' Elis  15',  90+8' García  19' Willis  70' Peña  80' Cerén  90+4' | Report | Sinovic  22' Rubio  74',  90+2' | Stadium: BBVA Compass Stadium Attendance: 14,675 Referee: Chris Penso | 
| August 11 23 | Columbus Crew SC | 1–0 | Houston Dynamo | Columbus, Ohio | 
| 6:30 PM CDT | Zardes  56',  90+1' P. Santos  90+7' | Report | Leonardo  80' Lundqvist  86' | Stadium: Mapfre Stadium Attendance: 15,891 Referee: Mark Geiger | 
| August 18 24 | Houston Dynamo | 1–2 | Real Salt Lake | Houston, Texas | 
| 8:00 PM CDT | O. García  36' | Report | Ruiz  33' Herrera  58' Kreilach  82' Sunny  87' Savarino  90' Rusnák  90+3',  90+10' (pen) | Stadium: BBVA Compass Stadium Attendance: 15,072 Referee: Armando Villarreal | 
| August 23 25 | Houston Dynamo | 1–1 | FC Dallas | Houston, Texas | 
| 8:00 PM CDT | O. García  58' Cerén  61' Peña  88' | Report | Gruezo  53' Barrios  83' Figueroa  90+2' | Stadium: BBVA Compass Stadium Attendance: 16,544 Referee: Allen Chapman | 
| August 29 26 | New York Red Bulls | 1–0 | Houston Dynamo | Harrison, New Jersey | 
| 7:00 PM CDT | White  55' | Report | Leonardo  89' | Stadium: Red Bull Arena Attendance: 15,042 Referee: Robert Sibiga | 
| September 1 27 | FC Dallas | 4–2 | Houston Dynamo | Frisco, Texas | 
| 7:00 PM CDT | Barrios  10' Mosquera  48',  51' Ziegler  58' (pen) | Report | Lundqvist  23' Manotas  53' Cerén  60' Elis  72' (pen) | Stadium: Toyota Stadium Attendance: 16,835 Referee: Kevin Stott | 
| September 15 28 | Houston Dynamo | 4–1 | Portland Timbers | Houston, Texas | 
| 7:30 PM CDT | Elis  32' Manotas  39',  65',  71' Fuenmayor  81' | Report | Fuenmayor  9' (o.g.) Valentin  31' Ebobisse  34' | Stadium: BBVA Compass Stadium Attendance: 15,256 Referee: Jair Marrufo | 
| September 22 29 | Orlando City SC | 0–0 | Houston Dynamo | Orlando, Florida | 
| 6:30 PM CDT | Wenger  33' | Report | Spector  24' Ascues  73' Dwyer  90+1' Yotun  90+4' | Stadium: Orlando City Stadium Attendance: 23,723 Referee: Baldomero Toledo | 
| September 29 30 | Houston Dynamo | 3–2 | San Jose Earthquakes | Houston, Texas | 
| 7:30 PM CDT | Manotas  56' Martínez  52',  68' Quioto  87' | Report | Kashia  11' Wondolowski  37' (pen) Fuenmayor  45' (og) | Stadium: BBVA Compass Stadium Attendance: 17,136 Referee: Hilario Grajeda | 
| October 8 31 | Seattle Sounders FC | 4–1 | Houston Dynamo | Seattle, Washington | 
| 9:30 P.M. CDT | Bruin  18' C. Roldan  34' Rodríguez  64',  73' | Boxscore | Cabezas  55' Leonardo  76' Beasley  87' | Stadium: CenturyLink Field Attendance: 39,518 Referee: Drew Fischer | 
| October 12 32 | Los Angeles FC | 4–2 | Houston Dynamo | Los Angeles, California | 
| 9:00 PM CDT | Silva  19' Nguyen  35' Vela  44' (pen),  78' Diomande  53' Zimmerman  58' | Report | Manotas  33' Deric  44' Cerén  45+1' Wenger  80' | Stadium: Banc of California Stadium Attendance: 22,000 Referee: Alan Kelly | 
| October 21 33 | Houston Dynamo | 2–3 | Seattle Sounders FC | Houston, Texas | 
| 4:30 PM CDT | K. Garcia  63' O. García  74' Manotas  89' | Report | Marshall  26' Svensson  49' Nouhou  72' Ruidíaz  87' | Stadium: BBVA Compass Stadium Attendance: 19,127 Referee: David Gantar | 
| October 28 34 | LA Galaxy | 2–3 | Houston Dynamo | Carson, California | 
| 3:30 PM CDT | Kamara  27',  30' | Report | Quioto  57' Manotas  73' (pen.),  79' Cerén  89' O. García  90+4' Peña  90+8',  90+8'  | Stadium: StubHub Center Attendance: 27,068 Referee: Kevin Stott | 
League Tables
Western Conference
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | 
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sporting Kansas City | 34 | 18 | 8 | 8 | 65 | 40 | +25 | 62 | Conference semifinals[lower-alpha 1] | 
| 2 | Seattle Sounders FC | 34 | 18 | 11 | 5 | 52 | 37 | +15 | 59 | |
| 3 | Los Angeles FC | 34 | 16 | 9 | 9 | 68 | 52 | +16 | 57 | Knockout round | 
| 4 | FC Dallas | 34 | 16 | 9 | 9 | 52 | 44 | +8 | 57 | |
| 5 | Portland Timbers | 34 | 15 | 10 | 9 | 54 | 48 | +6 | 54 | |
| 6 | Real Salt Lake | 34 | 14 | 13 | 7 | 55 | 58 | −3 | 49 | |
| 7 | LA Galaxy | 34 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 66 | 64 | +2 | 48 | |
| 8 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 34 | 13 | 13 | 8 | 54 | 67 | −13 | 47 | |
| 9 | Houston Dynamo | 34 | 10 | 16 | 8 | 58 | 58 | 0 | 38 | |
| 10 | Minnesota United FC | 34 | 11 | 20 | 3 | 49 | 71 | −22 | 36 | |
| 11 | Colorado Rapids | 34 | 8 | 19 | 7 | 36 | 63 | −27 | 31 | |
| 12 | San Jose Earthquakes | 34 | 4 | 21 | 9 | 49 | 71 | −22 | 21 | 
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) total wins; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) disciplinary points; 6) away goal differential; 7) away goals scored; 8) home goal differential; 9) home goals scored; 10) coin toss or drawing of lots
Notes:
- Due to a change in format for the CONCACAF Champions League, the regular season conference champions did not automatically earn a berth in the 2019 CONCACAF Champions League.[26]
Overall
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification[lower-alpha 1] | 
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | Montreal Impact | 34 | 14 | 16 | 4 | 47 | 53 | −6 | 46 | |
| 16 | New England Revolution | 34 | 10 | 13 | 11 | 49 | 55 | −6 | 41 | |
| 17 | Houston Dynamo | 34 | 10 | 16 | 8 | 58 | 58 | 0 | 38 | 2019 CONCACAF Champions League | 
| 18 | Minnesota United FC | 34 | 11 | 20 | 3 | 49 | 71 | −22 | 36 | |
| 19 | Toronto FC | 34 | 10 | 18 | 6 | 59 | 64 | −5 | 36 | 2019 CONCACAF Champions League | 
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) total wins; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) disciplinary points; 6) away goals scored; 7) away goal differential; 8) coin toss or drawing of lots
Notes:
-  CONCACAF Champions League
 Selection procedure-  Four US-based teams qualified for the 2019 CONCACAF Champions League. Due to a change in format to the tournament, two qualifiers came from each of the 2017 and 2018 MLS seasons.[27] This combined qualification method was used for the 2019 tournament only. For the 2018 season, the following teams qualified:
- The winner of MLS Cup 2018 (Atlanta United FC);
- The winner of the 2018 U.S. Open Cup (Houston Dynamo)
 
 One Canada-based team qualified for the 2019 CONCACAF Champions League, also entering at the second phase (NOTE: Canadian teams could not qualify through MLS):- The winner of the 2018 Canadian Championship (Toronto FC)
 
- The winner of MLS Cup 2018 (Atlanta United FC);
 
-  Four US-based teams qualified for the 2019 CONCACAF Champions League. Due to a change in format to the tournament, two qualifiers came from each of the 2017 and 2018 MLS seasons.[27] This combined qualification method was used for the 2019 tournament only. For the 2018 season, the following teams qualified:
U.S. Open Cup
    
Win Draw Loss
| June 6 Fourth round | Houston Dynamo | 5–0 | NTX Rayados | Houston, Texas | 
| 7:30 PM CDT | Rodríguez  55', 71' (pen) Padilla  65' Quintanilla  68', 90+2' Senderos  74' Zaldívar  88' | Report | Burciaga  9'  70' | Stadium: BBVA Compass Stadium Attendance: 6,212 Referee: Rosendo Mendoza | 
| June 18 Round of 16 | Houston Dynamo | 1–0 | Minnesota United FC | Houston, Texas | 
| 7:30 PM CDT | Manotas  47' (Lundqvist) Fuenmayor  89' Seitz  90' | Dynamo Report | Boxall  67' Kallman  90+3' | Stadium: BBVA Compass Stadium Attendance: 1,930 Referee: Guido Gonzalez | 
| July 18 Quarterfinals | Houston Dynamo | 4–2 | Sporting Kansas City | Houston, Texas | 
| 7:30 PM CDT | Quioto  26',  35', 66' O. García  45' Manotas  69', 88' Fuenmayor  79' | Report | Russell  2' Croizet  90+3' | Stadium: BBVA Compass Stadium Attendance: 6,431 Referee: Allen Chapman | 
| August 8 Semi-finals | Houston Dynamo | 3–3 (a.e.t.) (7–6 p) | Los Angeles FC | Houston, Texas | 
| 7:30 PM CDT | Wenger  12' (Lundqvist) Manotas  25' (Elis) Martínez  45+2' Elis  50' Rodríguez  75' (Martínez) Cerén  107' | Dynamo Report LAFC Report | Rossi  6' (Nguyen)  78' (Blessing)  90+5' Atuesta  58' | Stadium: BBVA Compass Stadium Attendance: 7,581 Referee: Rubiel Vazquez | 
| Penalties | ||||
| Cerén   Rodríguez   Elis   Boniek García   Martínez   Gil   Wenger   Senderos  | Beitashour   Kovar   Horta   Vela   Ciman   Harvey   Rossi   Blessing  | |||
| September 26 Final | Houston Dynamo | 3–0 | Philadelphia Union | Houston, Texas | 
| 7:00 PM CDT | Manotas  4' (Elis),  25',  61' Martínez  53' Trusty  65' (og) O. García  69' | Report | Dočkal  51' | Stadium: BBVA Compass Stadium Attendance: 16,060 Referee: Nima Saghafi Assistant referees: Cameron Blanchard Kyle Atkins Fourth official: Alejandro Mariscal | 
Player Statistics
    
    Appearances, goals, and assists
    
As of October 29, 2018
| No. | Pos | Nat | Player | Total | MLS | US Open Cup | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | ||||
| 1 | GK |  | Tyler Deric | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 
| 2 | DF |  | Alejandro Fuenmayor | 26 | 3 | 1 | 22 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 
| 3 | DF |  | Adolfo Machado | 23 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 
| 4 | DF | .svg.png.webp) | Philippe Senderos | 13 | 4 | 1 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 
| 5 | MF |  | Juan David Cabezas | 7 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 
| 6 | MF |  | Eric Alexander | 23 | 1 | 2 | 21 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 
| 7 | DF |  | DaMarcus Beasley | 28 | 1 | 2 | 26 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 
| 8 | MF |  | Memo Rodríguez | 24 | 4 | 1 | 19 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 
| 9 | FW |  | Mauro Manotas | 37 | 25 | 1 | 33 | 19 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 
| 10 | MF |  | Tomás Martínez | 36 | 5 | 14 | 32 | 5 | 13 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 
| 11 | MF |  | Andrew Wenger | 24 | 3 | 1 | 22 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 
| 12 | MF |  | Arturo Álvarez | 20 | 0 | 3 | 18 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 
| 13 | MF |  | Luis Gil | 15 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 
| 14 | DF |  | Adam Lundqvist | 18 | 0 | 3 | 16 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 
| 14 | MF |  | Charlie Ward[lower-alpha 1] | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 
| 15 | DF |  | Dylan Remick | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 
| 16 | DF |  | Kevin Garcia | 19 | 1 | 0 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 
| 17 | FW |  | Alberth Elis | 34 | 11 | 13 | 30 | 11 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 
| 18 | GK |  | Chris Seitz | 9 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 
| 19 | FW |  | Mac Steeves | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 
| 20 | DF |  | A. J. DeLaGarza | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 
| 21 | FW |  | Ronaldo Peña | 9 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 
| 21 | DF |  | George Malki[lower-alpha 1] | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 
| 22 | MF |  | Leonardo | 25 | 1 | 0 | 24 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 
| 23 | GK |  | Joe Willis | 28 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 
| 24 | MF |  | Darwin Cerén | 27 | 1 | 1 | 24 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 
| 25 | MF |  | Eric Bird | 8 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 
| 26 | GK |  | Michael Nelson | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 
| 27 | MF |  | Boniek García | 32 | 1 | 7 | 29 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 
| 30 | DF |  | Conor Donovan | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 
| 31 | MF |  | Romell Quioto | 36 | 8 | 12 | 32 | 6 | 12 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 
| 33 | DF |  | Jared Watts | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 
| 35 | MF |  | Todd Wharton[lower-alpha 2] | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 
| 37 | FW |  | Matías Zaldívar[lower-alpha 2] | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 
| 38 | FW |  | Aldo Quintanilla[lower-alpha 2] | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 
| 39 | MF |  | Manny Padilla[lower-alpha 2] | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 
| 40 | FW |  | Jhon Montaño[lower-alpha 2] | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 
Source: Season Statistics and Match reports in Competitions
- Left during the season
- Short term loan from RGVFC
Disciplinary Record
    
As of October 29, 2018
Source: Season Statistics and Match reports in Competitions
- Left during the season
- Short term loan from RGVFC
References
    
- "2018 MLS Attendance - Soccer Stadium Digest". Soccer Stadium Digest. Retrieved November 3, 2018.
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- "Team Staff". Houston Dynamo. February 22, 2012. Archived from the original on November 19, 2011. Retrieved January 18, 2018.
- "President of Business Operations Chris Canetti". Houston Dynamo. February 22, 2012. Retrieved January 18, 2018.
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- "Dynamo select forward Mac Steeves with 43rd overall pick at 2018 MLS SuperDraft". Houston Dynamo. January 19, 2018. Retrieved January 20, 2018.
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- Rodriguez, Alicia (April 26, 2018). "Houston Dynamo sign Swedish defender Adam Lundqvist". mlssoccer.com. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
- "Houston Dynamo acquire forward Ronaldo Peña on full transfer from Caracas FC". houstondynamo.com. July 5, 2018. Retrieved July 5, 2018.
- "Dynamo announce roster moves as season comes to a close". Houston Dynamo. December 5, 2017. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
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- Strauss, Brian (April 6, 2017). "MLS clubs have resolution over qualifying for future CCL after format change". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 6, 2017.
- Strauss, Brian (April 6, 2017). "MLS clubs have resolution over qualifying for future CCL after format change". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 6, 2017.












