Ben Olsen hired as new head coach of Houston Dynamo

The Houston Dynamo’s search for a new head coach concluded on Tuesday with Ben Olsen taking over at the helm of the Western Conference club. Olsen became the sixth head coach of the Dynamo’s history, the club announced Tuesday. The 45-year-old spent 11 seasons as a player for D.C. United, helping the club win eight ... Read more

Ben Olsen hired as new head coach of Houston Dynamo

The Houston Dynamo’s search for a new head coach concluded on Tuesday with Ben Olsen taking over at the helm of the Western Conference club.

Olsen became the sixth head coach of the Dynamo’s history, the club announced Tuesday. The 45-year-old spent 11 seasons as a player for D.C. United, helping the club win eight trophies including two MLS Cups (1999 and 2004). After retiring as a player, Olsen took over as head coach of the Black and Red in 2010, winning the U.S. Open Cup in 2013.

“The Club is proud to welcome Ben Olsen to Houston as the head coach of the Dynamo,” majority owner and chairman Ted Segal said. “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 served as a guest analyst on ESPN during the station’s MLS and U.S. men’s national team coverage over the past two seasons. Olsen takes over for Paulo Nagamura, who was fired on Sept. 5.

The Dynamo struggled in 2022, finishing 13th in the 14-team Western Conference this season. Despite the arrivals of Hector Herrera, Carlos Ferreira, among others, the Dynamo finished with the third-fewest goals scored (43) in the Western Conference and the fourth-most goals conceded (56).

Darwin Ceren and Zarek Valentin headline the seven Dynamo players that are set to leave the club this offseason.