Dear City of Houston: Come and see.

 
I realize as I'm writing this, that literally none of my readers needs it.  I'm going to ask something I've never asked, and it's that you share it with someone who could use it.  Either someone who has never gone to a game, someone who is interested but yet to pull the trigger, or someone who has left the fold and is yet to return. Houston is a big, amazing city.  It's time we start packing the Shell.  Dear City of Houston: Come and See.

HH recently said it, and Glenn Davis echoed it on Soccer Matters.  Dynamo Die-Hards have been asking it for years (especially the newer ones like me).  Why don't more people go to games? Even Houston Dynamo Fan-Legend Web Tilton is trying to drum up support. With a population in the greater Houston Area of around 7 million people, why aren't there more people coming to Shell Energy Stadium? I know, I get it, you've never really watched soccer and you don't know much about it.  Or, like me, you played as a kid and have forgotten how awesome it is.   Maybe you're tied to your love of the Rockets or the Texans and just have never given the Dynamo a thought.  Maybe you used to go to games, but the past ownership drove you away.  It's time, City of Houston, to come see.  Come see what is going on at and around this stadium, come see what is going on inside this stadium, and come and see the guys that put on the uniform and represent our city.  Maybe you're interested in joining the wave before the World Cup comes in 2026, or maybe you're just looking for a place to get out and have something to do here in Houston.  Maybe you're a person like this:

This is my 7th year with season tix. I would always watch the games on tv and ask why so many seats were unoccupied. I decided to be part of the solution to that. Although the seasons have been rough lately, we still enjoy supporting. We’re dedicated & hope it pays off soon.

— rahurtado (@RAHurtado) June 27, 2023

Whatever the situation is, it's time to come and see.   

The Shell is the place to be.

If you haven't been yet, you'll be surprised how easy it is to get to, how much space there is to park, how accessible it is by rail, and all there is to do in and around the stadium.  Parking is directly across the street from the Shell Energy Stadium, and there's tons to do before you even get inside. There is no sporting event in Houston that is more Houston than a Dynamo game.  The pregame festivities around the stadium are fun and family-friendly.  There's live music and vendors, and you can usually find our supporters' groups pregaming pretty hard in the parking lot before the game.  Inside the stadium, you'll find a wide variety of Houston-based restaurants filling the food vendors' stations. It's no doubt the best food inside any Houston venue.  I don't think there's really a close second.

You can find lots of places around to grab a bite or a drink before the game.  From Pitch 25, Tulum, Texas Tailgate, Huynh, Gotti's, or a little bit down the street there are places like 8th Wonder Brewery, Truck Yard, Rodeo Goat, and Tiny Champions Pizza.  There are lots of places nearby to sit and relax before the game begins.  The selections both inside and around the stadium are diverse as the city itself.  No matter what you're hungry for, there's something there to satisfy it.  

If it's been a while since you've been to a game, you're in for a whole new experience inside the stadium.  Ted Segal has been hard at work revamping the stadium, while Pat Onstad and Asher Mendelsohn have been busy revamping the roster.  Both are showing positive results, especially when this roster plays inside its home stadium.  From a stadium perspective, the new mesh seats were an excellent upgrade for the boiling Houston heat.  Shell Energy Stadium provides an intimate game experience where you are always close the action.  From beginning to end, a Dynamo game provides an experience unlike any other in Houston.  Ticket prices are reasonable, and if you don't care when you go you can find tickets for as low as $11. 7-1-3 nights show $7 dollar tickets, $1 hot dogs, and $3 beers.  Games are quick, and from kick-off to final whistle is about a 2-hour time commitment.

2023 Houston Dynamo and Dash Promotional and Theme Nights

DATE	MATCHUP	THEME / PROMO	SPONSOR
Saturday, March 18	Dynamo vs Austin FC	Opening Day	Shell Energy
Sunday, March 26	Dash vs Racing Louisville	Opening Day	Shell Energy
Wednesday, April 19	Dash vs Kansas City Current	713 Night
Wednesday, May 3	Dash vs Chicago Red Stars	713 Night
Saturday, May 6	Dynamo vs Real Salt Lake	Kid's Day
Saturday, May 20	Dash vs San Diego Wave	Asian American Heritage Night
Saturday, May 27	Dynamo vs Austin FC	Asian American Heritage Night
Saturday, June 10	Dynamo vs LAFC	Pride Weekend
Sunday, June 11	Dash vs NY/NJ Gotham FC	Pride Weekend
Wednesday, June 21	Dynamo vs San Jose Earthquakes	713 Night
Friday, July 7	Dash vs Chiago Red Stars	Hispanic Heritage Night
Saturday, July 8	Dynamo vs Sporting Kansas City	Americana Night	Kroger
Saturday, August 26	Dash vs Kansas City Current	Inspiring Women's Night	Chevron
Saturday, September 16	Dynamo vs St. Louis CITY SC	Kick Childhood Cancer	Heribeto Ramos
Wednesday, September 20	Dynamo vs Vancouver Whitecaps	713 Night
Saturday, September 30	Dynamo vs FC Dallas	Hispanic Heritage Night	Coushatta
Saturday, October 7	Dynamo vs Colorado Rapids	Fan Appreciation Night
Sunday, October 8	Dash vs Angel City FC	Fan Appreciation Night

This team is a different team.

Nope, we don't have Lionel Messi.  Hector Herrera is the best player to ever wear a Dynamo uniform and is in the midst of an All-Star caliber season, but if you don't follow soccer you might not have ever heard of him.  Coco Carrasquilla is rapping up a run that earned him a spot as one of the best players on the continent.  The Dynamo are making a deep run for the US Open Cup title, and are sitting squarely in a playoff spot at the end of June. The 2023 Houston Dynamo is a collection of guys that fight hard for 90 minutes and are nearly unbeatable at home.  We have stars from all over the globe, from Europe, Iceland, Africa, South America, and from right here in Houston.   The team has aging veterans, solid stars, role players, and young exciting prospects.  Ibrahim Aliyu, Nelson Quinones, Micael,  Brooklyn Raines, and Ethan Bartlow make up the next wave of stars wearing #ForeverOrange.  Coco, Teenage, HH, Amine Bassi, and Erik Sviatchenko are veteran leaders pointing this team in the right direction.  This team is not only one of the best defensive teams in the league, but it's also becoming reliable at scoring goals as well.  Steve Clark has been a rock at the back end all year. But more than that, this team has fun together, they play for each other, and they fight for each other.  Ben Olsen has this team playing hard and playing together.  This is not your usual Dynamo team of the last few years, and if you've never been and never followed, may I introduce you to an excellent opportunity to get in on the ground floor of an exciting new program.......

You won't find another team that lets you get this close.

Between the Dynamo, Dash and Dynamo Dos (who play their games at  SaberCats Stadium just south of town), you won't find another team that interacts with the fans at this level. Soccer is different as a sport, and the team feeds off their home fans like no other sport.  

My son loves Dos games! He gets to see the players up close every game! Caught a 1st team player after a game too.

SaberCats EASY to get to, and I love taking my son and his friends. We’ve only missed two games because we’ve been out of town@firateducation @houstondynamo2 https://t.co/RpQ5tyTGji pic.twitter.com/vrvqYh7GWH

— Josephine Firat (@JosephineFirat) June 27, 2023

 Our Supporters Groups's and our players have a real connection. From our Man of the Matchday flag to post-goal celebrations, our Supporters Groups have a huge connection to the game day experience.  The drums, the horns, the songs, and the tireless dancing, the supporters groups of El Betallian, Texian Army, and The Surge have a place for everybody.

Also, we have the greatest TIFO in the North American Continent:

I can promise, there's not another game in town with this sort of atmosphere.

Why this, why now?

For my entire fandom, I've heard all the reasons why people wouldn't go to games:  Lack of investment, lack of a true star, previous ownership made people angry, we don't win enough etc.  Despite Ted Segal coming in and investing heavily in the club, the stadium, and the roster, attendance is declining again.  This team will make the playoffs this year, and they are starting to gel.  Let's get behind our guys and girls, let's get behind our city, let's get behind our team, and just come and see.

Until then

Remember to always #HoldItDown and stay #ForeverOrange

Brian