2007 Houston Dynamo season

The 2007 Houston Dynamo season was the second season of existence for the Houston franchise. The Dynamo were the defending MLS Cup champions from the previous season and prevailed to win back-to-back MLS Cups as they defeated the New England Revolution for the second year in a row in the MLS Cup final. The Dynamo also competed in the CONCACAF Champions' Cup, U.S. Open Cup, and North American SuperLiga during the 2007 season.

Summary The Dynamo entered 2007 as defending champions, having defeated the New England Revolution in MLS Cup 2006. The result qualified them for the 2007 CONCACAF Champions' Cup, their first continental tournament in franchise history. The Dynamo began their season in the Champions Cup; defeating Puntarenas F.C. in the quarterfinals before losing to C.F. Pachuca in the semifinals. Houston had a disappointing Open Cup, losing in the third round to the Charleston Battery. The Dynamo also competed in the inaugural North American SuperLiga, finishing top of the group before losing to Pachuca 4–3 on penalties in the semifinals.

In MLS play, Houston struggled early in the season, losing 5 of their first 8 matches. The Dynamo then went on an 11 match unbeaten streak, with 8 wins during the streak, helping them climb up to top of the table. Houston had 5 wins, 4 losses, 3 draws over their final 11 games, enough of a dip in form to let D.C. United win the Supporters' Shield by 3 points and Chivas USA claim the top seed in the Western Conference by 1 point.

In the MLS Cup Playoffs, Houston matched up with Texas Derby rivals FC Dallas in the Conference Semifinals. Dallas won the first leg 1–0 thanks to a goal from Clarence Goodson. Houston got off to a poor start, with Carlos Ruiz scoring in the 14th minute to put the Dynamo down 2–0 on aggregate. The game turned in the 47th minute when Arturo Álvarez was shown a red card for violent conduct. Stuart Holden and Brian Ching then scored once each to level the aggregate score and send the game to extratime. In extratime, Ching scored in the 97th and Brad Davis scored in the 100th minute to help Houston advance to the next round. Facing off with the Kansas City Wizards in the Conference Final, the Dynamo rode goals from Nate Jaqua and Dwayne De Rosario to a 2–0 win and a return to MLS Cup. However star striker Brian Ching left the game due to an injury that forced him to miss the final. Houston met the New England Revolution in MLS Cup 2007, a rematch of the 2006 final. Taylor Twellman gave the Revs the lead after scoring in the 20th minute. Houston responded in the second half when Joseph Ngwenya scored the equalizer in the 61st minute. In the 74th minute De Rosario headed in a Brad Davis cross to give the Dynamo a 2–1 lead. Houston held onto the lead, becoming the second team in MLS history to win consecutive MLS Cups.

As of 2024, this is the most recent MLS Cup victory for the Dynamo. The club would advance to two further MLS Cups in 2011 and 2012, losing both to the LA Galaxy. The Dynamo have added two additional trophies in its history with the 2018 and 2023 U.S. Open Cups.

Final roster

Appearances and goals are totals for MLS regular season only. No.NameNationalityPositionDate of birth (Age)Joined fromJoined inApps.GoalsGoalkeepers1Zach WellsGKFebruary 26, 1981 (26)MetroStars20064018Pat OnstadGKJanuary 13, 1968 (39)San Jose Earthquakes200659029Jordan JamesGKNovember 25, 1982 (24)Cincinnati Kings200700Defenders2Eddie RobinsonDFJune 19, 1978 (29)San Jose Earthquakes20065044Patrick IanniDFJune 15, 1985 (22)UCLA20061815Ryan CochraneDFAugust 8, 1983 (24)San Jose Earthquakes200652216Craig WaibelDFAugust 21, 1975 (32)San Jose Earthquakes200649524Wade Barrett (C)DFJune 23, 1976 (31)San Jose Earthquakes2006610Midfielders9Brian MullanMFApril 23, 1978 (29)San Jose Earthquakes200659311Brad DavisMFNovember 8, 1981 (26)San Jose Earthquakes200645413Ricardo ClarkMFFebruary 10, 1983 (24)San Jose Earthquakes200650414Dwayne De RosarioMFMay 15, 1978 (29)San Jose Earthquakes2006541717Mike ChabalaMFMay 24, 1984 (23)University of Washington20060019John Michael HaydenMFApril 27, 1984 (23)University of Indiana20070020Eric EbertMFAugust 27, 1984 (23)University of California20070022Stuart HoldenMFAugust 1, 1985 (22)Sunderland A.F.C.200635626Corey AsheMFMarch 14, 1986 (21)University of North Carolina200722027Erik UstruckMFJanuary 4, 1985 (22)Santa Clara University20070030Richard MulrooneyMFNovember 3, 1976 (31)Toronto FC200728031Nick HatzkeMFOctober 16, 1983 (24)University of California200700Kenneth HoernerMFNovember 16, 1984 (23)San Jacinto College200700Forwards7Chris WondolowskiFWJanuary 28, 1983 (24)San Jose Earthquakes20062228Paul DalglishFWFebruary 18, 1977 (30)Hibernian F.C.200611221Nate JaquaFWOctober 28, 1981 (26)Los Angeles Galaxy200715625Brian ChingFWMay 24, 1978 (29)San Jose Earthquakes2006411833Joseph NgwenyaFWMarch 30, 1981 (26)Columbus Crew2007257

Player movement In Per Major League Soccer and club policies terms of the deals do not get disclosed. DatePlayerPositionAgePrevious clubNotesRefJanuary 12, 2007 John Michael HaydenMF22University of IndianaSelected with the 13th overall pick in the 2007 MLS SuperDraftJanuary 12, 2007 Corey AsheMF20University of North CarolinaSelected with the 13th pick in the 2nd round (26th overall) of the 2007 MLS SuperDraftJanuary 12, 2007 Mike SamburskyFW22University of South CarolinaSelected with the 13th pick in the 3rd round (39th overall) of the 2007 MLS SuperDraftJanuary 12, 2007 Eric EbertMF22University of CaliforniaSelected with the 13th pick in the 4th round (52nd overall) of the 2007 MLS SuperDraftJanuary 18, 2007 Nick HatzkeMF23University of CaliforniaSelected with 13th overall pick in the 2007 MLS Supplemental DraftJanuary 18, 2007 Erik UstruckMF22Santa Clara UniversitySelected with 13th in the 3rd round (39th overall) in the 2007 MLS Supplemental DraftJanuary 18, 2007 Justin DouglassDF21Missouri State UniversitySelected with 3rd in the 4th round (42nd overall) in the 2007 MLS Supplemental DraftJanuary 2007 Jordan JamesGK24 Cincinnati KingsSigned on a free transferApril 18, 2007 Richard MulrooneyMF30 Toronto FCAcquired in exchange for Kevin Goldthwaite and a 2008 MLS SuperDraft 1st round pickMay 9, 2007 Joseph NgwenyaFW26 Columbus CrewAcquired in exchange for Alejandro MorenoJuly 2, 2007 Nate JaquaFW25 Los Angeles GalaxyAcquired in exchange for Kelly Gray and a 2008 MLS SuperDraft 2nd round pick.August 31, 2007 Kenneth HoernerMF22San Jacinto CollegeSigned on a free transfer

Out DatePlayerPositionAgeDestination ClubNotesRefNovember 17, 2006 Adrian SeriouxMF27 Toronto FCSelected by Toronto FC in the 2006 MLS Expansion Draft. A few hours later he was traded again to FC Dallas.January 2007 Chris AloisiDF25 Rochester Raging RhinosReleased prior to the 2007 seasonJanuary 2007 Martin HuttonGK24RetiredReleased prior to the 2007 seasonJanuary 2007 Aaron LanesMF24RetiredReleased prior to the 2007 seasonJanuary 2007 Marcus StoreyFW24 TuS HeeslingenReleased prior to the 2007 seasonFebruary 27, 2007 Justin DouglassDF21RetiredReleasedMarch 2007 Julian NashFW24RetiredReleasedApril 18, 2007 Kevin GoldthwaiteDF24 Toronto FCTraded with a 2008 MLS SuperDraft 1st round pick for Richard MulrooneyMay 9, 2007 Alejandro MorenoFW27 Columbus CrewTraded for Joseph NgwnyaJuly 2, 2007 Kelly GrayDF26 Los Angeles GalaxyTraded with a 2008 MLS SuperDraft 2nd round pick for Nate Jaqua Mike SamburskyFW22RetiredReleasedOctober 15, 2007 Mpho MoloiMF24 Thanda Royal Zulu F.C.Released

Friendlies

Carolina Challenge Cup

Competitions Major League Soccer

Standings Western Conference Western ConferenceClubPtsGPWLTGFGAGD1Chivas USA533015784628+182Houston Dynamo523015874323+203FC Dallas4430131253744–74Colorado Rapids353091382934–55Los Angeles Galaxy343091473848–106Real Salt Lake273061593145–14

2007 MLS Cup Playoffs, 2008 U.S. Open Cup2007 MLS Cup Playoffs (Wild Card), 2008 U.S. Open Cup

Overall

ClubPtsGPWLTGFGAGD1D.C. United (E1)553016775634+222Chivas USA (W1)533015784628+183Houston Dynamo (W2)523015874323+204New England Revolution (E2)503014885143+85FC Dallas4430131253744–76New York Red Bulls4330121174745+27Chicago Fire40301010103136–58Kansas City Wizards403011127454509Columbus Crew3730911103944–510Colorado Rapids353091382934–511Los Angeles Galaxy343091473848–1012Real Salt Lake273061593145–1413Toronto FC253061772549–24 MLS Supporters' Shield, 2007 MLS Cup Playoffs, CONCACAF Champions' Cup 2008, SuperLiga 2008, CONCACAF Champions League 2008-09MLS Supporters' Shield runner-up, 2007 MLS Cup Playoffs, SuperLiga 20082007 MLS Cup Playoffs, SuperLiga 20082007 MLS Cup Playoffs

– Toronto FC cannot qualify for the CONCACAF Champions League through MLS. Rather, they can qualify through the Canadian Championship.If they had qualified for the Champions League through MLS, then the highest placed team not already qualified would have qualified. – The winner of the 2007 MLS Supporters' Shield (D.C. United) and the winner of MLS Cup 2007 (Houston Dynamo) qualified for the 2008 CONCACAF Champions' Cup and the 2008–09 CONCACAF Champions League Group Stage. The runner-up of MLS Cup 2007 and the winner of the 2007 U.S. Open Cup (New England Revolution) qualified for the 2008–09 CONCACAF Champions League Preliminary Round. Because New England qualified twice, the additional berth in the preliminary round was awarded to the 2007 MLS Supporters' Shield runner-up (Chivas USA).

Matches

MLS Cup Playoffs

US Open Cup

CONCACAF Champions' Cup

Quarterfinals

Semifinals

SuperLiga

Player statistics

Appearances, goals, and assists {| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;" |+ ! rowspan="2" | ! rowspan="2" | ! rowspan="2" | ! rowspan="2" | ! colspan="3" | ! colspan="3" | ! colspan="3" | ! colspan="3" | ! colspan="3" | ! colspan="3" | |- !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |- |1||GK||||align=left|||11||0||0||4||0||0||0||0||0||1||0||0||4||0||0||2||0||0 |- |2||DF||||align=left|||37||3||2||25||2||2||4||0||0||1||0||0||3||0||0||4||1||0 |- |3||DF||||align=left|Left during the season||3||0||0||1||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||2||0||0||0||0||0 |- |4||DF||||align=left|||20||1||0||16||1||0||0||0||0||1||0||0||0||0||0||3||0||0 |- |5||DF||||align=left|||35||1||1||25||1||0||4||0||1||1||0||0||3||0||0||2||0||0 |- |6||DF||||align=left|Left during the season||13||1||1||9||0||1||0||0||0||0||0||0||4||1||0||0||0||0 |- |7||FW||||align=left|||22||2||1||16||1||1||0||0||0||1||0||0||3||1||0||2||0||0 |- |8||FW||||align=left|||10||1||0||5||0||0||0||0||0||1||0||0||4||1||0||0||0||0 |- |9||MF||||align=left|||40||2||4||28||1||3||4||0||0||1||0||0||4||1||0||3||0||1 |- |11||MF||||align=left|||25||4||5||17||3||3||4||1||1||0||0||0||4||0||1||0||0||0 |- |13||MF||||align=left|||23||2||3||19||2||3||0||0||0||0||0||0||3||0||0||1||0||0 |- |14||MF||||align=left|||36||9||8||24||6||4||4||2||2||0||0||0||4||0||2||4||1||0 |- |15||FW||||align=left|Left during the season||8||0||0||4||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||4||0||0||0||0||0 |- |16||DF||||align=left|||33||0||5||21||0||2||4||0||2||0||0||0||4||0||1||4||0||0 |- |17||MF||||align=left|||1||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||1||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0 |- |18||GK||||align=left|||34||0||0||27||0||0||4||0||0||0||0||0||1||0||0||2||0||0 |- |19||MF||||align=left|||1||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||1||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0 |- |20||MF||||align=left|||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0 |- |21||FW||||align=left|||24||8||3||15||6||2||4||1||0||1||0||0||0||0||0||4||1||1 |- |22||MF||||align=left|||31||6||7||22||5||5||4||1||0||1||0||0||1||0||1||3||0||1 |- |23||MF||||align=left|Left during the season||1||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||1||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0 |- |24||DF||||align=left|||42||0||2||30||0||2||4||0||0||0||0||0||4||0||0||4||0||0 |- |25||FW||||align=left|||30||12||5||20||7||2||3||2||1||0||0||0||3||2||1||4||1||1 |- |26||MF||||align=left|||26||0||4||22||0||4||0||0||0||1||0||0||0||0||0||3||0||0 |- |27||MF||||align=left|||1||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||1||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0 |-