Houston Dynamo trade Griffin Dorsey to Orlando City
(image via Omar Duran)
The Houston Dynamo have announced the trade of right back Griffin Dorsey to Orlando City SC. Houston receives $1 million in General Allocation Money in exchange for Dorsey. The Dynamo will receive $600,000 in GAM in 2026 and $400,000 in 2027. Houston also retains a future sell on percentage. The Dynamo may also receive an additional $200,000 in GAM if certain performance metrics are met.
"Words cannot describe my appreciation for this city, this club, and the teammates and staff I have worked with along the way,” said Dorsey. “From the moment I landed in Houston, you embraced me with open arms. You have helped me grow into the player and man that I am today. Without this city, I do not know where I would be. It is hard to say goodbye, but the goodbye is filled with so much gratitude for all the memories. The ups and downs, and the ebs and flows of the last five years have been unbelievable. Thank you H-TOWN. Just know I will always have a place in my heart for Houston."
The 26-year-old right back was a key part of the Dynamo system under head coach Ben Olsen. Although he was a right back on the lineup, Dorsey played as a right winger, filling the space left by the inverted right midfielder, Coco Carrasquilla and more recently Jack McGlynn.
Dorsey joined the Dynamo in 2021 and tallied 11 goals to go with 13 assists in MLS play during his 138 appaearances in MLS regular season play in Houston. He was the longest-tenured player on the Dynamo as the only remaining person from that 2021 team.
“We are incredibly grateful for Griffin’s contributions to the Dynamo and for everything he has given this Club, our city and our supporters over the past five years,” said President of Soccer Pat Onstad. These decisions are never easy, especially with someone as respected and beloved as Griffin. His passion on the field and his genuine care for the Houston community, the Club and his teammates have left a positive impact on our organization. We are proud of the growth he achieved here and sincerely thank him for his commitment to the Dynamo. We wish Griffin and his wife, Adriana, all the very best in the next chapter of their journey.”
With the departure of Dorsey, the right back/wing role that he played now becomes a question mark, just days away from the Major League Soccer season beginning. It would appear that Duane Holmes would be the likely replacement straight away. Holmes played well as a right wingback during his time in England. Felipe Andrade, who is currently nursing an injury, and Homegrown signing Reese Miller are also options to play that position in 2026.
Whoever takes over for Dorsey, it will signal a shift in the style of play the Dynamo have been accustomed to. We’ve seen Houston in a back three while in possession since Olsen took over but this preseason we’ve seen an even more pronounced back three. Without Artur in the lineup as a 6 that can slide back into defense, the wing backs will have more defensive responsibility. Dorsey never was a good defender, he just wasn’t asked to defend much. Now if it’s Holmes, Andrade, Miller, or even a new signing, we will likely see a different style of play from the Dynamo right back.
