Houston Dynamo FC have signed head coach Ben Olsen to a contract extension through the 2027-28 MLS season, the club announced Wednesday.
Olsen was hired ahead of the 2023 campaign and has guided Houston to the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs in three of four seasons, including in 2026.
Olsen, who previously coached D.C. United, joins Bruce Arena (San Jose Earthquakes) and Brian Schmetzer (Seattle Sounders FC) as the only three active MLS head coaches to lead a team to the playoffs at least eight times.
Olsen is seventh all-time among MLS head coaches with 164 regular-season wins and helped lead Houston to the US Open Cup title in 2023.
"Our vision has been to build a sustainable winner that makes the city of Houston proud, and Ben has been central to realizing that vision,” said Dynamo president of soccer Pat Onstad.
“Under his leadership, the team has reestablished itself as a contender, lifted the US Open Cup, qualified for international competition and secured its third MLS Cup Playoffs berth in four seasons. Beyond those results, Ben has helped restore the identity of our club by producing a competitive team, cultivating a resilient and unified culture, and developing young talent from around the world.
"We have built a strong foundation together, and I look forward to continuing that work with Ben as we pursue sustained success and compete for more trophies for the club and the city of Houston.”
With four games left in the regular season, Houston are fifth in the Western Conference with 47 points (13W-9L-8D), one point behind fourth-place San Jose.
The 2014 Sigi Schmid MLS Coach of the Year previously guided D.C. United to the 2013 US Open Cup title.
"I was drawn to this opportunity with the Dynamo because of the significant potential of both the club and the city, and I am proud of the progress we have made together and the standards we have established,” said Olsen.
“That progress reflects the commitment of our players, coaches and staff, along with the unwavering support of our fans. I am grateful to Ted, Pat and the entire Dynamo organization for their continued trust and belief in what we are working toward. I am energized by the opportunity to continue building on our success and make the city of Houston proud.”
