2019 was another poor year for the Houston Dynamo. They failed to reach the playoffs for the fifth time in the last six seasons, their worst run in Major League Soccer history. Last year, Houston finished in 10th in the Western Conference, eight points behind their Texan rivals FC Dallas and the final postseason berth.
Meanwhile, Houston were defending the U.S. Open Cup, having won the competition in 2018, but fell at the Round of 16 as they lost out to Minnesota United, who would go on to reach the final. The Dynamo also featured in continental competition last season as they played in both the CONCACAF Champions League and the Leagues Cup but failed to get past the last eight in either.