Where are they now: Matias Vera and Michaela Abam
Have you ever wondered, “what ever happened with that player that used to be with Houston?” Well, we’ve got you covered. Here is an update on Houston Dynamo and Dash players who have left the club in recent years. We will highlight one from each team each week.
Matias Vera
The Argentine midfielder arrived at the Houston Dynamo in 2019 from Nueva Chicago, who at the time played in the second division of Argentina. Vera had a very successful start to his MLS career in Houston, where Matias was named the Dynamo’s Team MVP and Newcomer of the Year by the end of the season. His good performance with the club was rewarded with the captain’s armband. In his 4 full seasons in Houston Mati appeared in 115 matches and scored 4 goals.
While under contract in the 2023 season, Houston loaned Vera to Argentinos Juniors in the Argentine Primera Division. Back in Argentina, Matias saw limited minutes, only playing in 16 matches with the club from Buenos Aires that included regular season, national cup, and Libertadores. At the end of the season, Houston declined Vera’s option for the 2024 season.
Vera then signed with the most successful club in Paraguay, Olimpia. As of today, Matias has played in a total of 4 matches for the club based out of Asuncion. They are in search of the 47th title for the club by the end of the season.
Michaela Abam
The Houston native arrived at the Houston Dash in 2021 after spending time with European teams Paris FC and Real Betis. Abam was the first player signed by the Dash who attended a Dash-affiliated youth club, what a home-grown player would be in MLS. Michaela became a fan favorite quickly as the hometown kid. Her stay, however, with the Dash was short lived. After spending about a year and a half with Houston, she was waived before the start of the 2023 season. Abam ended her time with the Dash with 19 appearances and 1 goal to her name.
Weeks after leaving the Dash, she signed with Linkoping FC, who play in the highest division of women’s football in Sweden. In her single season with the Swedish club, Michaela scored 2 goals in 15 games played. The Cameroon international, who played in the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup. returned to North America in 2024, but this time to try her luck in Liga MX Femenil with Deportiva Toluca. Michaela has been a regular in the match day team sheets for las Diablas Rojas since her arrival earlier this year and has bagged a few goals.
