Soccer Tejas
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HOUSTON (Sept. 1, 2026) – Houston Dynamo FC and Erik Sviatchenko have mutually agreed to terminate the defender’s contract, as he signs with Port FC in Thailand’s top division, both clubs announced today.
“We want to thank Erik for his contributions to the Club on and off the field during his time in Houston,” said Houston Dynamo FC President of Soccer Pat Onstad. “He played a key role in the team winning the U.S. Open Cup in 2023 and setting a Club points record in 2024. Erik approached us this summer and requested to pursue a new challenge outside of MLS. While the timing of his departure is not the most advantageous for the Club, we appreciated his tenure here, and we are supportive of his next competitive endeavor in Thailand.”
Sviatchenko originally signed with the Dynamo on a full transfer from FC Midtjylland in Denmark in March 2023. The 34-year-old totaled 80 MLS appearances with the Dynamo, scoring two goals and recording five assists.
Notably, the former Danish international was a central figure in Houston’s 2023 U.S. Open Cup championship title and run to the 2023 MLS Cup Western Conference Final.
Additionally, Sviatchenko contributed to Houston’s record-breaking 2024 campaign, supporting nine clean sheets in all competitions, while helping Houston secure consecutive postseason appearances and new single-season Club records in points (54) and road wins (8). That season, the Dynamo allowed the third fewest goals (39) in regular season play and remained above the playoff line for the entire year, as the defender started in all but two of his 31 appearances.
Houston currently sits second in the Western Conference with 39 points and a 12-7-3 (W-L-D) record. Over the past 16 matches, the Dynamo have posted a 10-3-3 (W-L-D) record for 33 points over that stretch. Notably, Houston recently tied a league-record with a five-match shutout victory streak and held opponents scoreless for an impressive 485 minutes, the second-longest run over the last decade for the Dynamo.
