Houston Dynamo acquire defender Chris Duvall in trade with Montreal Impact

The Houston Dynamo acquired defender Chris Duvall from the Montreal Impact in a trade for the club’s natural third-round pick in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft, the club announced today.

Duvall has made 101 career appearances in Major League Soccer and started 91, primarily at right back, for the Impact and the New York Red Bulls and has scored two career goals and registered seven assists. He also made two career postseason appearances, both with the Red Bulls in 2016, and made five career appearances in CONCACAF Champions League play for New York. Last season, he played in 15 league matches with 14 starts and recorded one assist for the Impact.

“The addition of Chris will strengthen our defensive group as we prepare for the upcoming season,” said Dynamo Senior Vice President and General Manager Matt Jordan. “He joins our club at a prime age and brings extensive league, playoff and Champions League experience, which will be important for our group moving forward.”

The Duluth, Georgia native entered the league as the 22nd overall pick in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft by the New York Red Bulls out of Wake Forest. He was a four-year starter for the Demon Deacons, appearing in 74 games with 65 starts with one goal and 11 assists to his credit.

The 27-year-old made an immediate impact with the Red Bulls, starting in 18 of his 19 appearances as a rookie and helping the team advance to the playoffs. He started in 14 of his 15 appearances in 2015 for the Supporters Shield winners and scored his first professional goal, the game-winner in NYRB’s 3-1 win over cross-town rival New York City FC on June 28. His playing time increased in 2016 as he saw action in 25 contests with 20 starts and recorded a career-high two assists, helping the Red Bulls finish atop the Eastern Conference for a second consecutive year.

“We are pleased to bring Chris to the Houston Dynamo. We believe he has the talent and the mentality to compete for a position in our team,” said Dynamo Head Coach Wilmer Cabrera. “He has enough experience in this league to understand the challenges we will face in 2019, and we know that he is a person committed to create a great professional attitude and environment in the locker room.”

When joining Montreal in 2017, he quickly established himself as a full-time starter with his new club, setting career highs in games played (27), games started (25) and minutes played (2,210). He also tied career highs with one goal and two assists during his debut season with the Impact.

With the addition of Duvall, the Dynamo now have 20 players under contract ahead of the 2019 season.

TRANSACTION: The Houston Dynamo acquire DF Chris Duvall from the Montreal Impact in a trade for Houston’s 2020 natural third-round selection in MLS SuperDraft. Montreal will cover a portion of Duvall’s 2019 player salary.

PLAYER PROFILE:

FULL NAME: Chris Duvall
PRONUNCIATION: Doo-VAHL
DATE OF BIRTH: September 10, 1991 (29 years old)
HOMETOWN: Duluth, Georgia
BIRTHPLACE: Duluth, Georgia
HEIGHT: 5-10
WEIGHT: 165
PREVIOUS CLUB: Montreal Impact
FIFA ELIGIBILITY: United States

HOUSTON DYNAMO PLAYERS CURRENTLY UNDER CONTRACT