Circle the July 9 home game vs. FC Dallas in your calendar, Houston Dynamo FC fans.
That’s when Mexican national team midfielder Hector Herrera is eligible to debut after signing a Designated Player deal (pre-contract) back on March 2, adding an extra layer to the Texas Derby match at PNC Stadium.
Herrera finished the 2021-22 season with LaLiga side Atletico Madrid before formally arriving in MLS, providing great anticipation as Houston’s new era continues to unfold.
“We are excited for Héctor to begin training with the team when he starts with the club later this month,” Houston general manager Pat Onstad said in a release. “The MLS Secondary Transfer Window opens on July 7, which means his first eligible game will be at home against FC Dallas on July 9. We hope the whole city of Houston turns out to welcome him and support our push to make the 2022 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs.”
Herrera, 32, is expected to arrive in Houston in late June, having helped Atlético Madrid to a LaLiga title in 2020-21 and the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals this season.
Herrera is touted as one of MLS's biggest acquisitions of the year due to his pedigree both at the club level and internationally, where he's been a staple for Mexico since making his senior-team debut in 2012. He's racked up 100 caps for El Tri, scoring 10 goals while playing in two World Cups (2014 and 2018), and is likely headed to a third after helping Mexico qualify for Qatar 2022.
