Ben Olsen on Dynamo Identity, Depth, and the Grind Ahead: “We’re Moving in the Right Direction”

(image via Aldo Canale)

With the Houston Dynamo FC entering a congested stretch of matches across MLS play and the U.S. Open Cup, we sat down with head coach Ben Olsen to reflect on the team’s early-season progress, evolving identity, and the challenges ahead in a demanding 2026 campaign.

“A little bit of calm before the storm”

Olsen described the current moment as a brief pause before a packed run of fixtures that will test the full depth of his squad.

“We are here prepping for what could be a wild two weeks,” Olsen said. “It’s going to come fast and furious and we’re going to need everybody. So we’re all kind of in a little bit of calm before the storm.”

With a third of the MLS season already underway, Olsen admitted the Dynamo are still defining exactly who they are.

“Some good, some bad… some progress, some confusion and question marks still in who we are and where we’re going,” he said. “To really solidify exactly who we are has taken a little longer than we thought.”

Still, he emphasized the importance of results during that process, particularly at home.

“We’ve been able to grab points and be fairly effective at home. That’s really important, protecting Shell Energy (Stadium).”

Building identity through uncertainty

Now in his fourth season leading Houston, Olsen said the team’s identity is still evolving and will likely continue to shift as the season progresses.

“Our identity right now is going to be different than what it is coming out of the summer,” he explained. “We deal with what we have and how we think we can get results with the group we currently have.”

That group, he noted, has been anything but static due to injuries, suspensions, and tactical adjustments.

“We've played in a 442. We've played a 4231. We've played the 532. We've played a 523, right? Those are just numbers,” Olsen said. “What matters is being collective, making plays, and looking after your teammate.”

Despite the inconsistency, he sees a growing foundation.

“The identity of being able to win games and having more personality than last year, I’d check that box,” he said. “We’ve got some moxie. We’ve got some grit.”

New signings adjusting to MLS life

Much of Houston’s offseason focus centered on integrating new designated players, including Guilherme and Mateusz Bogusz, into a constantly rotating squad. Olsen acknowledged that building chemistry has been a gradual process.

“They’re trying to build relationships,” he said. “That part becomes slow when you’re switching guys around so much.”

He praised Guilherme’s immediate impact but noted opponents have adjusted.

“He caught teams by surprise at first because he’s so damn talented,” Olsen said. “Now teams double him, circle his name… and he has to adjust again.”

Olsen was direct about expectations for his attacking group.

“We need goals from him, we need goals from Mati Bogusz, and we need more from Ponce,” he said. “That’s the reality.”

Defining consistency in a changing system

When asked what consistency looks like for his team week-to-week, Olsen pointed to adaptability rather than fixed formations.

“The principles stay, but even those evolve.”

Instead, consistency comes from execution and mentality.

“Then the game happens, you make plays, you’re collective, you defend together,” Olsen said.

He also pointed to recent improvement as a positive step.

“The last game was our best performance from a tactical and defensive standpoint,” he said. “That’s a step in the right direction.”

Managing the Open Cup and a packed schedule

With Houston still alive in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, Olsen emphasized the challenge of balancing multiple competitions amid a congested calendar.

“It (the Open Cup) means a great deal to us,” he said. “But you also have to map it out carefully, then something like a suspension happens and your plan changes.”

He stressed that squad-wide contribution will be essential.

“Everybody’s going to have to contribute over the next two weeks if we’re going to have success,” Olsen said. “Success is advancing, but also staying competitive in all these games.”

Olsen, who has previously won the tournament as both player and coach, remains emotionally invested in the competition.

“I’m just a romantic with it,” he said. “I love the Open Cup.”

Youth development and the Houston pathway

Olsen also highlighted the importance of Houston Dynamo 2 and the club’s academy system, calling the club’s internal pathway one of its strengths.

“We do a good job of bringing these guys into the fold during the week (during training),” he said. “We’re watching every D2 game.”

But he was clear about what earns a first-team opportunity.

“Are you the best player on the field? Do you stand out?” Olsen said. “That’s what we’re looking for.”

Winning vs. development: “Winning is not optional”

Olsen pushed back on the idea that development and winning are separate priorities.

“This idea of winning is not important in development. I'm just not a fan of. It just doesn't resonate with me. Winning is important,” he said. “And I think you can do both at the same time.”

For him, mentality is part of development.

“What are you really developing if not a winning spirit?” he said. “That’s all winning-based.”

Life in Houston and personal reflection

Now four years into his tenure, Olsen reflected on his transition from Washington, D.C., to Houston.

“It’s been wonderful for me and my family,” he said. “I never thought I’d be living in Texas, but the hospitality is real.”

He added that he still feels a responsibility to earn the trust of the fanbase.

“I still feel I am valued here and slowly, hopefully, winning some people over,” Olsen said.

On coaching, communication, and growth

Olsen also reflected on how his coaching communication has evolved over time.

“As I got older, I realized I’m not good at everything,” he said. “You learn to lean on the people around you.”

He added that emotional control and self-awareness have become key parts of his growth.

“Sometimes I was yelling when it was more selfish than helpful,” he said. “Now I’m better at understanding what the team actually needs in the moment.”

Final message to fans: patience and belief

Olsen closed with a message for Dynamo supporters as the team enters a critical stretch of the season.

“We’re growing and slowly moving in the right direction,” he said. “It’s not always pretty, but I think people can see we’re improving.”

He pointed to effort, character, and potential as reasons for optimism.

“There’s real talent on this team,” Olsen said. “And when we start clicking, we can make a run at this thing.”