Veteran defender Daniel Steres will be back with Houston Dynamo FC for the 2023 MLS season.
Anchoring the back line 💪
— Houston Dynamo FC (@HoustonDynamo) November 3, 2022
Veteran @Dsteres44 has signed a contract extension#HoldItDown
Steres is coming off his first season with the club after being acquired from the LA Galaxy in a trade on Dec. 12, 2021. He was the first player signed during Pat Onstad's first offseason and is the first contract decision by the Dynamo GM to be made public during the 2022-23 offseason.
The central defender will be back in orange through at least the 2024 season. The Dynamo has a team option available for the 2025 season.
A consistent contribuitor
Steres' move to Houston saw the defender play 207 additional MLS minutes, earning one more start and goal contribution, from his previous season with the LA Galaxy. He was selected to the starting lineup for the first four matches due to Teenage Hadebe's late preseason arrival from the African Cup of Nations and an injury to Tim Parker.
After going to the bench and back, he was back in the starting XI consistently from the end of July to the start of September. His final appearance of the year came on September 4, a loss that led to the dismissal of head coach Paulo Nagamura.
Daniel Steres makes it 2-2 in the first-half!
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 14, 2022
The center-back ties it up with his first goal of the season. #HoldItDown pic.twitter.com/UPW9f9GUlq
The central defender played 18 regular season matches, starting in 14, for a total of 1,341 minutes. He contributed two goals and one assist, all coming during a one-month span between August and September.
Steres commanded a base salary of $450,000 and guaranteed compensation of $468,750, per the MLS Player Association Salary Guide. A portion of the defender's salary budget charge in 2022 was retained by LA Galaxy.
What it means
The Burbank, Calif., native was eligible to sign with other clubs as a free agent in the coming weeks. The Dynamo likely retained him on a lower salary, although that won't be confirmed until next year when the updated salaries are released.
The veteran defender likely didn't feel like moving and starting over at another team in 2023 and the Dynamo get a player that they like and who has experience. Steres likely wasn't going to get too many offers in free agency providing a better lifestyle than living in Houston.
Daniel Steres @HoustonDynamo goal with local commentators on @ATTSportsNetSW #SEAvHOU #HoldItDown #DejaloTodo pic.twitter.com/1LfU8AhRZx
— Victor Araiza (@victoraraiza) September 5, 2022
He was a reliable rotation piece for the team in 2022 and, if that's what he is in 2023, it's a good roster move for depth. Ideally, he played more matches than what was intended as starters Teenage Hadebe and Tim Parker, both on high salaries, stepped out of the lineup.
Steres will likely be a substitute option or starter in place of an injury as he was this year. By no means is he expected to be an out-and-out starter but that remains to be seen with the new coach — which
What they said
Dynamo general manager Pat Onstad:
"Daniel provides valuable leadership on and off the field and securing his future in Houston was an important first step in our offseason roster plans. As we look to improve the roster for this upcoming season, we need to build around veterans who best embody our values and understand how to win in this league. Daniel is one of those players. We are happy that he and his family are committed to our project and the city of Houston."