The youth movement is on for the Houston Dynamo FC.
What were you doing at the age of 15? Many people get that question, but for Dynamo midfielder Matthew Arana, it’s a completely different story.
Arana is an up-and-coming young soccer talent who first joined the Dynamo Academy at the age of 11. Now 15, the Rosharon native has steadily progressed through the ranks of the organization’s system.
Arana remains a member of the Dynamo 2 squad, but he has now joined the first team after recently signing a Homegrown Player contract through the 2027–28 season, with club options through the 2029–30 season.
The signing makes Arana the youngest first-team player in club history and the 20th Dynamo Academy product to sign a Homegrown first-team contract.
Arana, whose brother Miguel is a placekicker for the Texas Southern Tigers football, attended Crawford High School before switching to an online school tied to the Dynamo Academy.
“Houston is a proud soccer city teeming with young talent,” said Dynamo President of Soccer Pat Onstad. “Matthew has made the most of his opportunities since joining the Dynamo Academy in 2021, advancing quickly through our pathway and making an impact at the first-team level this preseason. He has a bright future ahead of him.”
Arana says a lot has happened in a short period of time, but he’s taking it all in—listening and learning what it takes to be a professional in Major League Soccer.
“It’s amazing, to be honest, and I’m blessed,” Arana told KPRC 2 Sports Director Randy McIlvoy at the Dynamo Training Center. “I’ve been learning and it’s exciting. I’m hoping to get more minutes with this team, but it will take a lot of hard work.”
A week ago Saturday, he made his debut in the Dynamo home opener against the LA Galaxy, entering the match in the final minutes at Shell Energy Stadium. It was a dream come true for a young man who appears to have a bright future in professional soccer. Arana was one of seven Academy players called up by head coach Ben Olsen to join the first team during preseason.
“I have to be consistent every day around here and learn every step of the way,” Arana added.
Joining the MLS squad presents many challenges, but Arana—who is also a member of Mexico’s U-16 national team—says he’s leaning heavily on the team’s veteran leadership, especially the bond he has developed with Héctor Herrera.
“My teammates have been really good to me and welcoming me to the team,” Arana said. “They make sure to talk to me, and I can ask them anything.”