The countdown to Opening Day continues with another look at the history of a Dynamo jersey number. With the Dynamo set to host the New England Revolution at BBVA Compass Stadium in six days (TICKETS), we continue or countdown with the history of the No. 6 jersey in Houston, worn by Nathan Sturgis, Mike Chabala, Erick Ustruck, Kelly Gray and now newcomer David Rocha.
Gray helped the Dynamo win MLS Cup in 2006, coming off the bench to convert the first penalty kick in the winning shootout (more below). He appeared in 27 regular-season games (16 starts) over two seasons in Houston.
Sturgis wore No. 6 in both of his two stops in Houston, 2012 and 2015. The 10-year MLS veteran made 30 appearances in all competitions in two seasons, adding a goal and two assists last year, including the equalizer at the LA Galaxy last March.
Chabala wore No. 17 from 2006-2011 but chose No. 6 for his return to the club in 2013. The left back appeared in 37 league games for the Dynamo, with a career-high 25 appearances (22 starts) in 2010. The California native made three playoff starts: Both legs of the 2009 semifinal series win over the Seattle Sounders and the first leg of the 2013 Eastern Conference Championship against Sporting Kansas City.
Ustruck spent three seasons in Houston (2007-09) and made two league appearances.
Best Dynamo moment in the No. 6 jersey: Kelly Gray appeared in one playoff game in his Dynamo career and made it count. Gray entered the 2006 MLS Cup Final 12 minutes into extra time and was picked by head coach Dominic Kinnear to take the first penalty kick of the shootout. Gray smashed his attempt down the middle to give Houston the early momentum and Pan Onstad stopped Jay Heaps’ attempt on the final kick as the Dynamo won their first MLS Cup.
Honorable mention: Sturgis was a key part to the Dynamo winning their group in the 2012-13 CONCACAF Champions League. The midfielder recorded three assists in three group stage games, including assists on both goals in a pair of 1-1 draws with Olimpia of Honduras.
Dynamo jersey history, all-time. No. 6 jersey:
Kelly Gray, 2006-07
Erik Ustruck, 2008-09
Mike Chabala, 2013
Nathan Sturgis, 2012, 2015
David Rocha, 2016-
