2017 has been a lot better for the Dynamo than in recent years.
In an article for MLSsoccer.com, Will Parchman picked Houston along with Columbus Crew SC and the Chicago Fire as the league's most improved teams early on this season.
Twelve games into the season, the team is 6-5-1 (19 points) and tied for second place in the Western Conference, just three points behind leaders Sporting Kansas City (and with a game in hand). After 12 games in 2016, the Dynamo were 3-7-2 (11 points) and then-head coach Owen Coyle left to go back home to England.