The Return of "HH": Héctor Herrera Rejoins Houston Dynamo FC

 

Written by B. Keith Crear III

In a move that bridges the club’s most successful recent era with its future ambitions, Houston Dynamo FC officially announced the return of midfielder Héctor Herrera on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.

The 35-year-old Mexican international returns to the Bayou City as a free agent, signing a contract through the 2026 MLS season with a club option for June 2027. Unlike his first stint, Herrera will not occupy a Designated Player (DP) spot, providing the club with significant roster flexibility as they look to rebound from a difficult 2025 campaign.

A Proven Winner Comes Home

Herrera’s first tenure in Houston (2022–2024) was nothing short of transformative. He was the engine behind the team's resurgence, most notably captaining the Dynamo to the 2023 U.S. Open Cup title and leading them to a club-record 54 points in 2024.

"It is an honor to welcome Héctor back home to Houston," said Pat Onstad, Houston Dynamo President of Soccer. "He is a respected leader whose influence helped change the trajectory of this club. While his role will evolve, we know Héctor’s winning mentality will elevate our standards."

Highlights of Herrera’s First Stint (2022-2024):

• Appearances: 82 (All competitions)

• Contributions: 8 goals, 22 assists

• Accolades: 2x MLS All-Star, 2023 MLS Best XI

• Trophies: 2023 U.S. Open Cup Champion

The Road Back via Toluca

After the Dynamo declined his contract option following the 2024 season, Herrera spent 2025 in Liga MX with Deportivo Toluca FC. His time in Mexico was highly successful, as he helped Los Diablos Rojos snap a 15-year drought by winning both the Clausura and Apertura league titles.

Despite the silverware, Herrera’s connection to Houston remained strong. His family continued to reside in the city, and his son is a member of the Dynamo Academy. This personal tie, combined with Houston's need for veteran leadership after finishing 12th in the Western Conference last year, made the reunion a natural fit.

What This Means for the 2026 Season

Head coach Ben Olsen now has a midfield general who understands his system perfectly. Herrera joins a retooling roster that recently added Brazilian forward Guilherme as a Designated Player.

By signing Herrera to a non-DP deal, the Dynamo front office has kept a high-level roster spot open, signaling that more reinforcements may be on the way before the home opener against Chicago Fire FC on February 21.