Houston Dynamo 2025 player report cards: Blake Gillingham
(image via Houston Dynamo FC)
We’re continuing our 2025 report card series, recapping each Dynamo player’s season. Next up, we take a look at Blake Gillingham.
2025 Grade: B
2025 by the numbers (MLS play)
Appearances: 4
Minutes played: 294
Clean Sheets: 2
Saves: 11
Goals Against: 4
2025 in review
Blake Gillingham entered the season as an undrafted rookie, signed in February, and initially expected to serve as the third-choice goalkeeper behind Andrew Tarbell and Jimmy Maurer. That plan changed quickly. When Tarbell suffered a season-ending ACL injury and Maurer went down in his first start, Gillingham was suddenly thrust into the starting role. What could have been a crisis turned into one of the most unlikely and inspiring stories of Houston’s season. The rookie showed composure beyond his years, making key saves, organizing the back line, and instantly earning the admiration of fans. His performances were confident, fearless, and full of heart — a true Cinderella rise from depth-chart afterthought to starting MLS goalkeeper.
Even with his strong showings, the Dynamo ultimately opted for experience, signing veteran Jonathan Bond to take over the starting job. While Gillingham returned to a reserve role, his impact and the belief he inspired within the squad and fanbase didn’t go unnoticed.
Moment of the season
Gillingham’s standout moment came in the home victory against LAFC. Facing one of the league’s most dangerous attacks, he delivered a statement performance — making several impressive saves, commanding his box, and keeping a clean sheet in a 1–0 win. It was the match that solidified him as more than just an emergency fill-in and showed he could perform on the biggest stage.
Looking forward
Blake Gillingham’s future in Houston is one filled with both opportunity and competition. His contract runs through the 2025 season, with club options for each year through 2028 — a clear sign the Dynamo see long-term potential in him. The Dynamo have exercised his option for 2026. However, his path won’t be uncontested. With Jonathan Bond locked in as the starter and Jimmy Maurer expected to be the primary backup, Gillingham will likely enter 2026 as the third-choice goalkeeper. Adding to the challenge, Houston Dynamo 2 goalkeeper Pedro Cruz is pushing for a first-team spot and could compete directly with Gillingham for that role. Even so, Blake has already proven he can step up when called upon, and if he continues to develop, he’ll remain firmly in the conversation for the club’s future between the posts.
