HOUSTON (May 7, 2026) – Houston Dynamo 2 were named the MLS NEXT Pro Team of the Month for April, while interim head coach Jeremy Hurdle earned MLS NEXT Pro Coach of the Month honors and goalkeeper Pedro Cruz was named MLS NEXT Pro Goalkeeper of the Month, the league announced today.
Hurdle and Cruz’s selections mark their second consecutive monthly awards, after earning the same honors last month.
Dynamo 2 continued their strong undefeated start to the 2026 campaign under the leadership of Hurdle, finishing April undefeated, while ranking first in the league in clean sheets (five) and the fewest goals conceded in open play (two) this season. The team opened the month with a 1-1 draw at Austin FC II before defeating the in-state rivals in a penalty shootout, followed by a 1-0 road victory over Real Monarchs and a 2-1 win at Sporting Kansas City II. Houston currently sits first in the Western Conference with 23 points and a 7-0-1 (WLD) record.
“It is a tremendous privilege to receive this monthly award again,” said Hurdle. “The credit and recognition goes to the entire group of players and staff, and the Club. This is always a team effort, and our continued momentum this past month is a result of all the work everyone has put in together. We will continue challenging ourselves each day with a focus on improvement.”
Cruz appeared in all three matches during April, helping the team record one clean sheet and concede just one goal in open play during the month. He also recorded 18 saves, including a seven-save performance at Real Monarchs that earned him MLS NEXT Pro Player of Matchday 7. Additionally, Cruz ranks third in the league with 29 saves and leads all goalkeepers with four clean sheets.
“I am honored to earn another Goalkeeper of the Month award this season,” said Cruz. “I want to give thanks to God, as well as my coaches and teammates, who continue to challenge me and support my growth every day. This recognition reflects the hard work of the entire team, especially the defensive efforts from our backline. We have had a strong start to season, and we are focused on building upon it.”
Houston continues its 10-match road trip, facing St. Louis CITY2 on Saturday, May 9, at Energizer Park, with kickoff scheduled for 4:00 p.m. CT. Fans can watch the match live via MLSNEXTPro.com and OneFootball.
