Houston Dynamo 2024 player report cards: Griffin Dorsey
(image via Houston Dynamo FC)
We’re continuing our 2024 report card series, recapping each Dynamo and Dash player’s season. Today we look at right back Griffin Dorsey.
2024 Grade: A-
2024 by the numbers (MLS play)
Appearances: 32
Minutes played: 2653
Goals: 3
Assists: 3
G+ per 96: -0.01
2024 in review
(image via FBref.com and FBcharts.com)
Dorsey’s professional career has been anything but straightforward. After being selected as the 6th overall pick in the 2019 MLS Draft by Toronto FC, his journey took an unexpected turn. Despite high hopes, he was released by the Canadian club after just five minutes of professional play in 2020. However, his fortunes shifted when he was given a second chance to compete for a spot with a rebuilding Houston Dynamo squad. By the end of the 2023 season, Dorsey had firmly established himself as a key player, scoring a crucial goal to help Houston lift the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, and quickly becoming a fan favorite by the close of the 2024 season.
Primarily known as a right winger, Dorsey underwent a position shift under head coach Ben Olsen, moving further back to play as a right back. While this change required him to focus more on defensive duties, Olsen’s tactical setup allowed Dorsey to maintain his attacking influence. With the right midfielder tucking inside, Dorsey was given the freedom to push forward and operate like a traditional right winger, overlapping and providing width to the attack.
On the left, Aliyu Ibrahim expanded the field for Houston, and Dorsey mirrored that role on the right, becoming one of the most dangerous right backs in the league. His ability to stretch the field and contribute offensively helped the Dynamo dominate possession, often outpacing other teams in MLS in terms of ball retention. When the opportunity arose, Dorsey would cut inside and either take a shot with his left foot or deliver a dangerous cross into the box.
Overall, Dorsey became a constant threat to opposing defenses, always looking for space behind midfielders and seeking to link up with teammates like Coco Carrasquilla, Sebastian Kowalczyk, and Amine Bassi. His vision and technical ability allowed him to consistently create goal-scoring opportunities, often combining with others for quick wall passes and runs into space.
While Dorsey’s season was overwhelmingly positive, his performance wasn’t without blemishes. The “minus” in his A- rating comes from the red card he received just five minutes into the Texas Derby in April, which shifted the momentum of the match and ultimately handed a victory to FC Dallas. Although all matches are worth the same three points, the Texas Derby carries a special significance, and the loss to Dallas left a bitter taste. Despite that setback, Dorsey’s overall consistency was impressive, with only 2-3 subpar performances throughout a year that included 40+ matches across multiple competitions.
Moment of the season
With so many standout performances from Dorsey—whether through dangerous crosses, key assists, or simply being a constant nuisance to opposing defenses—it’s difficult to pinpoint just one moment to highlight.
Many would point to his goal (or, more accurately, the own goal by Cristian Roldan—though who’s counting?) against the Seattle Sounders at Shell Energy Stadium in the final game of the season. That goal, which forced the match into a penalty shootout in the dying moments, sent the entire stadium into a frenzy and is certainly a memorable highlight. However, to do justice to both the Houston-Vancouver goal fest and to Griffin himself, I’d argue that his brace, including the match-winning goal in the 87th minute against Vancouver on July 20th, deserves to be his moment of the year.
Looking forward
Dorsey signed a new contract with the Houston Dynamo at the end of the 2023 season, extending through 2025 with an option for 2026. After finishing the 2024 season with standout performances in both playoff matches against the Seattle Sounders, it’s clear that Dorsey has become a key player for head coach Ben Olsen as he continues to build the team’s attacking unit. Not only has Dorsey impressed Houston GM Pat Onstad, but he has also garnered attention from national media. With his growing influence on the field, it’s safe to say that Griffin Dorsey will play a crucial role in Olsen’s plans for the 2025 MLS season.
