17 hours ago - Sports

Houston Dynamo spend $20.9M on player salaries

Dynamo players Guilherme and Ezequiel Ponce wearing orange jerseys and white shorts celebrate on the pitch — Guilherme and Ezequiel Ponce are some of Houston's most expensive players. Photo: Omar Vega/Getty Images

The Houston Dynamo have four players making at least $1 million each this season, per the 2026 MLS player salary guide released Tuesday by the Players Association.

The big picture: Forward Ezequiel Ponce, who joined the squad in 2024, remains Houston's most expensive player, with a guaranteed compensation of $3 million.

He's a designated player, meaning he isn't subject to standard league salary cap rules.

The intrigue: Ponce has zero goals and assists so far this year.

He scored 10 goals and had one assist in 2025.

By the numbers: Midfielder Mateusz Bogusz will take home $2.5 million, left winger Guilherme will get $1.9 million and center back Lucas Halter will receive $1.4 million, per the guide.

Houston's payroll is up from around $15.5 million in 2023 to $20.9 million in 2026.

Yes, but: Even with the increase, Houston's ranking among the 30 MLS teams fell from eighth in 2023 to 15th in 2026.

Zoom out: There are 35 players in MLS who will make more than Ponce this year.

That includes Inter Miami's Lionel Messi with a guaranteed $28.3 million this season, LAFC left winger Son Heung-min ($11.2 million) and Messi's teammate Rodrigo De Paul ($9.7 million).

What's next: The Dynamo (eighth in the Western Conference) take on Real Salt Lake (sixth in the Western Conference) in Utah tonight.

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Houston Dynamo spend $20.9M on player salaries

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