NEED TO KNOW:

• Parker signs contract extension through the 2024 season
• Defender has appeared in 164 league games since making his MLS debut in 2015
• Dynamo acquired Parker on Jan. 19, 2021 in trade with New York Red Bulls

HOUSTON – Houston Dynamo FC and defender Tim Parker have agreed to a contract extension through the 2024 season, the Club announced today.

“Tim has solidified himself within our group from day one, both on and off the field through his performances, strong character and leadership ability,” said Senior Vice President and General Manager Matt Jordan. “Tim is in the prime of his career and we couldn’t be happier that he has chosen to be a part of our club and what we are building in Houston as a foundational piece of our group for years to come.”

The Dynamo acquired Parker earlier this year on Jan. 19 from the New York Red Bulls in exchange for $450,000 in General Allocation Money with additional performance-based incentives. Parker was named co-captain in April and has worn the captain’s armband three times this season. The New York native has started in all nine games for the Dynamo this season and currently leads the team in blocks with seven and clearances with 26.

“Tim was the first player we went after at the end of last season as we looked to improve and rebuild,” Dynamo head coach Tab Ramos said. “His professional winning character has already made us better on-and-off the field. We are excited that he has accepted to continue to grow with the club and with the city of Houston.”

The six-year MLS veteran joined Houston after three consecutive appearances in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs with the Red Bulls. Parker finished with 79 appearances for the Red Bulls and helped the club claim the 2018 Supporter’s Shield with a record 71 points, while helping anchor the defense that recorded a league-best 14 shoutouts while setting a record with 71 points earned during that same season.

“I’m beyond ecstatic to commit to this project in Houston for the next three years. There is so much momentum around the club and I’m thrilled to play a role in the future of the organization,” Parker said. “That’s both on and off the field, we want to build meaningful relationships with our fans, that goes beyond the 90 minutes we play over the weekend. We have to do our part and I look forward to stepping up and connect with everyone who identifies with this badge.”

Parker qualified to the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs twice with the Vancouver Whitecaps, beginning with his rookie season in 2015. The defender returned to the postseason in 2017 after starting in 32 regular season games and finished the season with Jock MacDonald Unsung Hero honors for the ‘Caps.

Internationally, the defender has earned two caps with the U.S. Men’s National Team. Parker made his debut with the USMNT against Ireland on June 2, 2018 and started in the following game against France on June 9. He also represented the U.S. at the U-23 and U-18 level, competing in the playoffs to qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.

Parker played collegiately for St. John’s University and finished with 79 appearances in his four years for the Red Storm. He was a three-time United Soccer Coaches All-Region selection and earned first team All-Big East Honors in 2013. The defender was also a Big East All-Rookie selection following his freshmen season and won the 2011 Big East Tournament. He signed for the Big Red after earning Gatorade New York Boys Soccer Player of the Year honors in 2011.

TRANSACTION: Houston Dynamo FC and defender Tim Parker have agreed to a contract extension through the 2024 season.

NEED TO KNOW:

• ATTACHMENT: Houston Dynamo FC game notes packets
• Dynamo enter today’s game with a 4-0-4 record against Portland at home
• Houston close the week on the road against Real Salt Lake on Saturday
• Dynamo to host postgame press conference at 9:30 p.m. CT on Zoom with Tab Ramos and select players

HOUSTON – Houston Dynamo FC return to BBVA Stadium this evening to host the Portland Timbers for Soccer For All Night. Wednesday’s game is the second of three matches over an eight-day stretch following the international break.

Houston opened the three-game stretch on the road with a 1-1 draw against Los Angeles Football Club on Saturday. Maxi Urruti won the ball near midfield to spark the equalizer. The Argentine forward found Fafa Picault in space and the New York native dribbled past two defenders to find Urruti near the penalty spot for the equalizer. Picault tallied his third assist of the season and back-to-back assists for the Dynamo over a two-game stretch. Urruti also scored in his second consecutive game and leads the team in goals with five.

Houston looks to split the series with Portland on Wednesday after dropping the first meeting 2-1 in April. Tyler Pasher forced an own goal, but Houston’s push fell short at Providence Park. The Dynamo also look to snap a three-game losing streak against the Timbers that began in June 2019. Houston’s last victory in the series came at home with a 4-1 triumph on Sept. 15, 2018. The Dynamo enter the game with a 4-0-4 record against Portland at home.

The Timbers have won three out of their last four games this season and enter the match with a 4-4-0 record. Portland struggled at the beginning of the season as the Timbers navigated the Round of 16 and quarterfinals of the Concacaf Champions League. The Timbers defeated Sporting Kansas City 2-1 on Saturday and that match marked the return of Sebastian Blanco. The Argentine playmaker missed six months due to a torn ACL suffered in 2020.

The Dynamo will travel this weekend to Utah to close the three-game stretch. Kickoff against Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Stadium is set for 7:00 p.m. CT.

Here are three key points ahead of tonight’s game:

1. DYNAMO WELCOME NEW MAJORITY OWNER & CHAIRMAN TED SEGAL: The Club announced Ted Segal as the new Majority Owner and Chairman yesterday at the Lexus Club in BBVA Stadium. Segal will attend BBVA Stadium for the first time as the Club’s Majority owner when the Dynamo take on Portland. “I’m going to throw myself into (making the Club successful) and work hard with both leagues to implement best practices, and all I can say is you have my commitment that I will be an active and involved owner in giving our organization the resources it has to succeed,” said Segal.
2. DYNAMO LOOK TO SPLIT SERIES WITH TIMBERS: This is the second meeting of the season between both teams and the Timbers edged past Houston 2-1 at Providence Park in April. The Timbers enter the game in fifth place, two spots higher than the Dynamo in the Western Conference and look to build on their victory over Sporting Kansas City on Saturday. The Dynamo look to remain unbeaten at home this season and against the Timbers, Houston enter the game with a 4-0-4 record against Portland in Houston.

TIM PARKER RE-SIGNS WITH HOUSTON: A leader on and off the field, Dynamo defender Tim Parker signed a three-year extension earlier this week that will see him with the Club through 2024. The New York native joined the Dynamo in January 2021 and has since been a key piece in Houston’s backline. Parker has started in all nine appearances for Houston, wearing the captain’s armband three times since joining this season. “Tim is in the prime of his career and we couldn’t be happier that he has chosen to be a part of our club and what we are building in Houston as a foundational piece of our group for years to come,” said Senior Vice President and General Manager Matt Jordan.

NEED TO KNOW:

• Dynamo Unified team to host official Signing Day on Thursday, June 24 at BBVA Stadium
• The program celebrates its sixth year in 2021 and returns after shortened 2020 season
• Dynamo Unified Team will compete in three matches this season

HOUSTON – The 2021 Houston Dynamo FC Unified Team, presented by 76®, will sign their official Club contracts and receive their official uniforms on Thursday, June 24 at BBVA Stadium. The signing ceremony will begin at 4 p.m. CDT in the Lexus Club at BBVA Stadium.

This is the sixth year that the Club, Special Olympics Texas and 76 partners together for the MLS Unified Season. Dynamo president John Walker will join the players for their contract signings and Dynamo players Memo Rodriguez and Michael Nelson will present the Unified Team with their uniforms.

The contract signing on Thursday is just the start of a busy summer for the Dynamo FC Unified Team.  They will play three matches this year, including a game on August 21 against FC Dallas and then travel to the State Capitol to participate in a small tournament against Austin FC and FC Dallas, later this fall.

The Unified Team signing day is part of the Houston Dynamo FC and the Houston Dash’s’ Soccer For All Week. Soccer for All is a yearlong initiative focused on providing opportunities in the sport of soccer for everyone, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status, and emphasizes the League’s commitment to drive positive social change, foster more inclusive and equitable communities and end discrimination.

Other activities this week will include Houston Dynamo FC players wearing special Pride themed warm-up tops prior to the match later today as well as a pre-game recognition of the Lone Star Amputee Soccer team that is supported by Houston Dynamo FC and the Houston Dash.  The Dash will wear Pride themed numbers on their jerseys during their match on Saturday vs the Orland Pride.  The week will conclude with an auction from Dynamo Charities to help raise funds to support underserved soccer communities in the Houston area.