Houston Dynamo has parted ways with midfielder Héctor Herrera after his unsportsmanlike conduct in the team's season-ending loss. The decision was made due to a combination of factors, including Herrera's availability and behavior on the field.

What happened?

Herrera received a red card for spitting at a referee during the Dynamo's MLS playoff game against Seattle.

Why it matters for Houston Dynamo

The team's general manager, Pat Onstad, stated that Herrera's behavior was unacceptable and that his availability was a major concern.

CategoryStat
League standing12th in Major League Soccer
Goals this season43 scored, 56 conceded
Title race26 points behind leaders San Diego
Next fixturevs St. Louis City (away, 2026-08-23)

What comes next?

The Dynamo will need to find a replacement for Herrera, who played a significant role in the team's success in 2023. Onstad acknowledged that replacing Herrera will be a challenge, but the team is moving forward. Herrera's contract included a clause that would have automatically triggered the club option for 2025 if he had started a specified number of games this season. However, he did not meet that benchmark due to injuries. The Dynamo's next fixture is against St. Louis City on August 23, 2026.