Three breakout players for the Houston Dynamo in 2026
(image via Omar Duran)
As the 2026 season approaches, the Houston Dynamo enter the year with familiar questions but fresh intrigue. Health, tactical adjustments, and squad depth once again sit at the center of the conversation. While much of the attention will naturally land on Houston’s designated players, the trajectory of Lawrence Ennali, Duane Holmes, and Nicholas Markanich could quietly influence how high this team can climb.
Lawrence Ennali: A Role Built for His Strengths
For Lawrence Ennali, 2026 feels like a reset and perhaps more importantly, a runway.
After an uneven start to his Dynamo career, shaped largely by injuries, Ennali now begins a season fully healthy. That stability alone changes the equation. Under Ben Olsen, Ennali is expected to see extended minutes as a wingback, a role that adds defensive responsibility but may ultimately maximize his most dangerous quality.
Pace.
Recently noted as the fourth fastest player in MLS, Ennali’s speed is not just a statistical curiosity, it’s a tactical asset. In Houston’s transition-heavy approach, his ability to cover ground quickly can stretch defenses and create instant pressure in open space. The challenge, as always, lies in balance. The wingback position demands discipline, positioning, and defensive awareness.
The upside is obvious. The next step is refinement.
Duane Holmes: Stability After Disruption
Duane Holmes enters 2026 in a situation that mirrors much of Ennali’s narrative: talent waiting on continuity.
After arriving last season with a broken foot, Holmes never truly found sustained rhythm. When available, he often operated centrally, showcasing his composure, technical quality, and relentless work rate. Now healthy, Holmes appears set for a more defined role, with Olsen deploying him primarily as a left wingback.
The fit makes sense.
Holmes thrives in high-intensity phases of play. His pressing, defensive engagement, and willingness to battle for second balls align naturally with the demands of the position. Beyond that, his versatility remains a significant asset. Holmes can drift inside, combine in tight spaces, or help stabilize possession depending on game state.
For Houston, that flexibility is invaluable. For Holmes, a full season of fitness could finally unlock consistency.
Nicholas Markanich: Value in Limited Windows
Nicholas Markanich’s path to minutes remains crowded, particularly with Ezequiel Ponce and Mateusz Bogusz ahead in the attacking hierarchy. On paper, opportunities may be limited.
Yet Markanich continues to present a compelling case.
Throughout the preseason, his instinct for goal has repeatedly surfaced. Not necessarily spectacular finishes, but the subtle, striker’s goals born from positioning, anticipation, and timing. In a season where Houston competes in only two tournaments, squad roles become sharper, and contributions must be efficient.
Markanich’s profile fits that reality.
His impact may not come through volume but through moments; late-game appearances, situational substitutions, or rotational opportunities. As a natural striker, his mandate is straightforward: remain ready.
History suggests players with that mindset often matter more than expected.
The Underlying Theme
Roster construction in MLS often magnifies the importance of players outside the marquee tier. For Houston, Ennali, Holmes, and Markanich each represent a different but equally important variable:
Ennali: Explosive athletic upside within an evolving tactical role
Holmes: Proven versatility seeking uninterrupted rhythm
Markanich: Depth striker capable of decisive contributions
If the Dynamo are to progress in 2026, the margin may rest not only on star performances but on how effectively these supporting pieces translate opportunity into impact.
Because in MLS, progress is rarely defined by headlines alone, but by the players who reshape expectations along the way.
