Houston Dynamo appoints Ben Olsen as new head coach

The Houston Dynamo has appointed Ben Olsen as head coach, becoming the sixth manager in team history. 

Olsen is no stranger to managing a Major League Soccer side, after leading D.C. United from 2010 to 2020. He earned the MLS Coach of the Year award in 2014, and inspired the Black and Red to the 2013 US Open cup, before concluding with an overall record of 113W-137L-84D.

He also served as president of the Washington Spirit in the NWSL prior to joining the Houston Dynamo.  

“The club is proud to welcome Ben Olsen to Houston as the head coach of the Dynamo,” majority owner and chairman Ted Segal said in a club statement. 

“Ben is one of the most accomplished coaches in MLS and brings championship experience, including winning eight different MLS titles as a player, to this position. His commitment to developing high-potential players and leading playoff contenders make him a great fit for the direction of our organization.”

He replaces Paulo Nagamura, who departed in September during the 2022 MLS season following a string of negative results. The team concluded the campaign in 13th place on the Eastern Conference table with just 36 points in 34 games and a record of 10W-18L-6D. 

“I am excited to join Houston Dynamo FC and contribute to the rich history of one of the great MLS clubs,” said Olsen. 

“I was drawn to ownership’s vision for the club, and I am confident in this new era for the Dynamo. We have a lot of work to do on the roster, game model, mentality, and culture of the club, but I am energized and excited to get to work.”

He will now lead players like Hector Herrera and Sebastian Ferreira as the team attempts to finally qualify for the playoffs in 2023.

"Ben is an experienced MLS head coach with a strong track record of building playoff teams and developing young players,” said Onstad. 

“Ben is the right leader for our club as we begin making significant changes to field a more proactive, younger and competitive team in the coming years. We are excited to welcome Ben and his family to the city of Houston and we are already hard at work on the 2023 season.”