Hector Herrera’s Time in Houston Comes to an End

 

Written by Vicente Garcia Miale | Photo credit: Sports Fusion Live Houston

The Houston Dynamo shared their end-of-season roster moves days after their elimination from the Audi 2024 MLS Cup announcing that they will not offer a new contract to Hector Herrera. 

 

 The Mexican international registered 6 goals and 23 assists in 69 games across three seasons. During his time in Houston, Herrera became the leader of Ben Olsen’s team, winning a U.S. Open Cup in 2023 and qualifying for the playoffs in two consecutive years. 

 

Hector Herrera arrived in Houston in the summer of 2022 from Spanish powerhouse Atletico de Madrid. The midfielder encountered multiple challenges as he adapted to a new league, city, and game style months before the start of what became his final FIFA World Cup with El Tri. 

 

Nevertheless, the 2023 season showed why Pat Onstad, General Manager of the Houston Dynamo, decided to go after Herrera. His vast experience in European football and great skills helped Ben Olsen form one of the best midfield trios the MLS has seen in years with the alignment of Herrera, Artur, and “Coco” Carrasquilla. In 2023 Herrera was named to the MLS Best XI of the season as he tallied 4 goals and 11 assists and became the spotlight of North American soccer after defeating Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami in the final of the 2023 U.S. Open Cup. 

 

However, the 2024 season was full of physical battles for Herrera, forcing him to visit the operating room due to a knee injury. Houston’s captain returned to the pitch in the 0-1 loss against Austin FC on April 20. His slow comeback disappointed fans as he could never bring up the level of play in a season where he only recorded a single goal and assist. Additionally, Herrera’s time in Houston is tainted by his altercation with a referee when he spat in his direction after an argument over a committed foul during the decisive moments of Houston’s final playoff match. 

 

Hector Herrera now enters free agency and leaves a Designated Player roster spot for a Dynamo team that aims to secure a talented midfielder to the squad.

 

For more information about roster updates and tickets visit houstondynamofc.com.