5 Best Houston Dynamo FC MLS Players, Ranked

As the product of a franchise relocation, the Houston Dynamo have one of the most unique histories in Major League Soccer.

That origin story, which saw the San Jose Earthquakes move all their personnel to Houston ahead of the 2006 MLS campaign, also gave the Dynamo a distinct advantage over typical expansion franchises.

San Jose had won the Supporters’ Shield a year earlier, so Houston inherited a roster that was ready to compete right away. The Dynamo delivered MLS Cup titles in their first two seasons, but the club has managed just two U.S. Open Cups (2018, 2023) in the better part of two decades since.

Given that strong early history, it only makes sense that I roll back the years when ranking the five best Houston Dynamo players of all time.

5 Best Houston Dynamo FC MLS Players, Ranked

Houston Dynamo FC All-Time Greatest Players

1. Brian Ching

It didn’t take long for the Hawaiian striker to endear himself to the Dynamo faithful, as he scored four goals in Houston’s debut match: a 5-2 win over the Colorado Rapids.

Ching was also the difference in the final game of the season, earning MLS Cup MVP honours after scoring the equalising goal in extra time and converting his penalty kick in a shootout win over the New England Revolution. 

Ching played eight of his 12 MLS seasons in Houston and finished his career as the Dynamo’s all-time leading scorer with 69 goals across all competitions.

2. Brad Davis

If Davis were still playing for the Dynamo, I would be targeting his anytime assists prop as part of my soccer betting card. 

The 5-foot-11 winger had a wand for a left foot, which saw him create chances with stellar deliveries from set pieces and open play. 

Davis holds Houston’s records for assists (104) and appearances (271) in MLS play and ranks third on the league’s all-time assists chart behind Landon Donovan and Steve Ralston.

As a member of the Dynamo, he made five MLS All-Star appearances, finished runner-up for MLS MVP in 2011, and reached four MLS Cups, winning two.

3. Ricardo Clark

Clark was a stalwart across two stints with the Dynamo and ranks second behind Davis with more than 300 appearances for the club across all competitions.

The USMNT midfielder was an All-Star each of his first three seasons in Houston and earned an MLS Best XI nod in the 2006 title-winning campaign.

Clark moved to Germany before featuring at the 2010 World Cup for the United States but would return to Houston in 2012 and stay for five more seasons, later serving as team captain.

4. Dwayne De Rosario

De Rosario spent just three seasons in Houston after making the move with the franchise from San Jose, but his impact was immense.

The Canadian midfielder scored 24 goals in 78 regular-season appearances. He delivered the decisive blow in the 2007 MLS Cup rematch against the New England Revolution, heading the ball home in the 74th minute to cap Houston’s 2-1 comeback win.

De Rosario earned MLS Cup MVP honours for the second time in his career, becoming the first player in league history to accomplish that feat.

5. Pat Onstad

Onstad was one of the headlining stars when the team moved to Houston, as the Canadian had just been named MLS Goalkeeper of the Year for the second time in his career in 2005. 

The Vancouver native made the game-winning save to give the Dynamo their first title, stopping Jay Heaps’ spot kick in the final round of the first penalty shootout in MLS Cup history.

Onstad featured 136 times for the Dynamo in MLS play and holds the team record for clean sheets (37). He now serves as the team’s general manager, so I think it’s fair to say he’s responsible for how Houston stacks up in the MLS odds.