Meet the new guys: 2025 edition
(image via Aldo Canale)
The Houston Dynamo lost three of their regular starters of the last few years during this offseason in Adalberto Carrasquilla, Steve Clark, and Hector Herrera. However, Pat Onstad and Asher Mendelssohn have done a good job of maintaining the team’s core while looking for players that can replace such important players. The primary transfer window doesn’t close until April 23rd, but with a couple of weeks remaining before the start of the season, fans are starting to get anxious on the team landing the DP 10 that the technical staff has been mentioning since December. But there have been a number of new players already brought in to the squad. Here is all you need to know about the newest additions to the club.
Erik Dueñas
Previous Club: LAFC
Acquired by: Claimed off waivers, signed through the 2025 season with a club option for 2026, 2027 and 2028
Position: Midfielder
Who is Erik Dueñas?
Erik is a 20-year-old midfielder who started his career with LAFC. A product of the LAFC Academy, he signed a homegrown contract with the club in 2020 at just 15 years old.
While he wasn’t yet a regular starter, Dueñas was an important depth piece for LAFC as they competed in MLS, the U.S. Open Cup, and international tournaments like the Concacaf Champions Cup.
What Does Erik Bring to Houston?
Dueñas is a versatile player, known for his defensive tenacity and ability to contribute in attack. He can slot into any position in the middle of the field, among other roles. Dueñas can play centrally, out wide and even higher in the midfield behind the strikers. Erik can do the dirty work of recovering the ball from the opposition and even solely defend if needed. He has scored a good amount of goals during the preseason. As a jack of all trades, he will likely get plenty of minutes in Houston this season.
Jack McGlynn
Previous Club: Philadelphia Union
Acquired by: Cash trade, under contract through 2025 with options for 2026 and 2027
Position: Midfielder
Who is Jack McGlynn?
McGlynn spent the entirety of his professional career with Philadelphia Union. A product of the Philadelphia Union Academy, he signed a homegrown contract in 2021.
Known for his excellent passing, vision, and composure on the ball, McGlynn became a key part of Philadelphia’s midfield. He played a significant role in the Union’s 2022 MLS Cup Final run, contributing with his technical ability and set-piece delivery.
McGlynn has also represented the U.S. Youth National Teams, including at the 2023 U-20 World Cup, and has recently broken into the USMNT senior squad. McGlynn is considered one of the top young midfielders in MLS.
What Does Jack Bring to Houston?
The question has been who will replace the absence of Coco Carrasquilla and Hector Herrera in 2025, and the answer for much of that will be McGlynn. The club has never seen the arrival of an American international with such potential since maybe Stuart Holden or Brad Davis. However, it is refreshing to see the club not neglect the American talent and purely fixate upon foreign players. McGlynn will fit the Dynamo’s system perfectly and he will likely open up a lot of eyes of people that didn’t have him on their radar.
Jimmy Maurer
Previous Club: FC Dallas
Acquired by: Free agency, signed through the 2026 season
Position: Goalkeeper
Who is Jimmy Maurer?
Maurer is best known for his time with FC Dallas in Major League Soccer. He joined Dallas in 2017 after several years in the NASL with the New York Cosmos.
Maurer became a reliable shot-stopper for Dallas, often serving as either the starting or backup keeper. He was the team’s primary goalkeeper in 2020, helping them reach the MLS Cup Playoffs and earning praise for his performances. Though he later transitioned into more of a backup role, Maurer remained a steady veteran presence for Dallas until his departure after the 2024 season.
What Does Jimmy Bring to Houston?
Jimmy’s role will be as a backup option for the Dynamo. The veteran will be assigned the task to challenge Andrew Tarbell’s starting position but unless injuries hit him, it will be difficult for Maurer to break into the starting eleven often in 2025.
Junior Urso
Previous Club: Charlotte FC
Acquired by: Free agency, signed through the 2025 season with a club option for 2026
Position: Midfielder
Who is Junior Urso?
The soon to be 36 year old knows the league well. Urso played in Major League Soccer for Orlando City SC, joining the team in 2020 from Corinthians (Brazil).
During his time with Orlando, Urso was a key presence in midfield, contributing both defensively and offensively. He helped the club secure its first MLS Cup Playoff appearance in 2020 and played a vital role in their 2022 U.S. Open Cup victory.
Urso briefly left Orlando after the 2022 season but returned in mid-2023. He ultimately parted ways with the club again in early 2024, landing in Charlotte where he appeared in 21 matches for the Crown.
What Does Junior Bring to Houston?
Urso is a Brazilian midfielder known for his strength, versatility, and defensive work rate. He is a solid depth piece at this point in his career, who can be brought in late in a match to help close out a game or to give Artur rest.
