2026 Crystal Ball: Houston Dynamo Contracts and Who Might Stay
(image via Houston Dynamo FC)
The Houston Dynamo still have a lot to play for in the 2025 campaign, with the MLS Cup Playoffs still a possibility. But the future is always closer than you think, and roster decisions for 2026 are already coming into focus. Several players have contracts that are up at the end of this season or have options for next season, and their performances — and price tags — will determine who’s wearing orange next year.
To break it down, here’s a look at each position group, with a 1–5 rating of return likelihood:
5 = Very likely to return (core piece, essential to team)
4 = Likely (important contributor, but not untouchable)
3 = 50-50 (depends on form, health, and budget)
2 = Unlikely (role player or expensive piece that may be moved)
1 = Very unlikely (almost certain departure)
* = Denotes players with an option for 2026
Goalkeepers
Andrew Tarbell– Tarbell came into this season as the starter but an ACL injury ended his season. He has no club option next year and with Jonathan Bond’s emergence, it likely spells the end of Tarbell’s time in Houston.
Likelihood: 1/5
Blake Gillingham* – Gillingham showed well when he got his chance this season. Unfortunately for him, the goalkeeper room is crowded with Bond, Jimmy Maurer, and Pedro Cruz waiting in the wings.
Likelihood: 2/5
Defenders
Felipe Andrade* – Andrade’s loan from Fluminense has an option to buy at the end of this season. The Brazilian looks to be the left back of the future and I’d be surprised if the Dynamo don’t buy Andrade.
Likelihood: 4/5
Femi Awodesu* – The Dynamo had to throw Femi to the wolves this season and he has struggled mightily. He will turn 25 next early next season.
Likelihood: 2/5
Ethan Bartlow* – Bartlow’s role as the depth center back team has become much clearer this season. He can start when needed and provides a good option when needed.
Likelihood: 3/5
Griffin Dorsey* – I would have had Dorsey as a 5/5 before this season but he has had an up and down season. Andrade looks to be the new left back and there is no real competition for Dorsey at right back in the way Ben Olsen likes to play.
Likelihood: 4/5
Franco Escobar – Escobar has no option for next season. He went from nailed on starter to backup with the emergence of Andrade. The Dynamo aren’t going to pay a veteran premium for a backup who will be 31 at the start of next season.
Likelihood: 1/5
Michael Halliday* – Halliday has yet to feature for the first team in league play, getting most of his minutes with Dynamo 2. He’s still young but Dorsey is such a mainstay at right back.
Likelihood: 2/5
Damion Lowe* – This is a tough one to judge because Lowe hasn’t even put an orange (or purple) jersey on yet. In theory, he’s a good veteran option on defense but we’ll have to see how he looks the rest of this season when he returns from international duty.
Likelihood: 3/5
Pablo Ortiz* – I really have no idea what they will do with Ortiz’s loan. Erik Sviatchenko’s injury concerns are a real issue. Ortiz is still young but has he shown enough to stick around in Houston, especially with other options like Bartlow and Lowe also as options at center back depth.
Likelihood: 3/5
Kieran Sargeant* – The homegrown is on loan in the USL Championship this season. That seems to be a good fit for him and he should succeed there if and when his option is declined by the Dynamo.
Likelihood: 1/5
Daniel Steres* – Has anyone seen Dan? Steres has been off the matchday roster for most of the season, with just 8 league appearances and 2 in Leagues Cup in 2025. Steres is almost 35 but if he is interested in being a veteran guy in the locker room and not playing much, maybe the Dynamo pick up his option.
Likelihood: 2/5
Midfielders
Artur* – I could see this one going either way. Artur is the captain but he has a big contract (he’s classified as a DP for roster purposes) and the Dynamo could decline his option like they did with Hector Herrera last offseason.
Likelihood: 3/5
Amine Bassi* – Bassi has fallen off this season into a sub role, when he does play. You want your TAM players to be starters and key contributors and Bassi just is not that anymore.
Likelihood: 2/5
Erik Dueñas* – Dueñas is spending most of his time with Dynamo 2 this season. But, he’s yet to turn 21 years old and has the flexibility to play in multiple positions.
Likelihood: 3/5
Sebastian Kowalczyk* – Like Bassi, Kowalczyk is a TAM player who has moved to a sub role this season. His versatility is nice but the Dynamo could move off his contract.
Likelihood: 2/5
Junior Urso* – Urso has been good this season, but the signing of Diadié Samassékou could be a sign that he (and/or Artur) won’t be brought back.
Likelihood: 2/5
Brooklyn Raines* – Raines has taken a big leap this season and is the future of the Dynamo midfield. Europe will come calling in the near future and the Dynamo will look to cash in on that.
Likelihood: 5/5
Forwards
Stephen Annor* – Annor is a mainstay at Dynamo 2 but hasn’t been able to break into the first team. A move to the USL Championship seems likely for him, like Sargeant, if and when his option is declined.
Likelihood: 1/5
Nelson Quinones* – Quinones adds so much pace and directness when he is healthy and able to play. He hasn’t been that in the last two seasons but is now getting minutes with Dos and on the bench with the first team. I doubt the Dynamo give up on him at this point, unless they are really wanting to clear a U22 spot.
Likelihood: 4/5
Sergio Santos* – Like Lowe, we haven’t seen Santos play for the Dynamo yet. If he impresses in this short “tryout” maybe he comes back and takes the backup striker role but his big salary number makes that feel unlikely.
Likelihood: 2/5
Gabe Segal – Segal doesn’t have an option for 2026 and with the number of other striker options, he seems like a likely departure this offseason.
Likelihood: 2/5
