HOUSTON – Sometimes the chance to go home and finish your career is the best move to make, and for Houston Dynamo star Brad Davis that wish has come true.
Dynamo President Chris Canetti told KPRC 2 Sports that Davis has been traded to Sporting KC after requesting the opportunity.
"The timing was right to grant him his wish," Canetti told KPRC 2. "We did it with Dominic Kinnear and Dwayne DeRosario and the situation now with Brad was right. Ten seasons with the Dynamo; he is a team icon. He will go down as one of the best in team history."
Davis is 33 years old and he and his wife just gave birth to their third child. He is from Missouri and this was a chance to go back home after being with the Dynamo since Day 1.
"At this point in my career it is time for a change, a new challenge," Davis said. "The opportunity came about to be closer to home and it has always been a dream to play professionally in front of my family. This decision was not an easy one, but one I needed to make. At the end of the day, it was mutually agreed upon by the staff and me and I cannot thank them enough for their support. I would like to say thank you to all the fans that welcomed my family to Houston and for all the support over the years. A huge part of me will always be Forever Orange."
Davis wrote an open letter to Dynamo fans here.
The Dynamo will receive a second round selection in the 2017 draft and a third round selection in the 2018 draft, along with future considerations in the trade.
The club said Davis, 34, is Houston's all-time leader in games (328), assists (120), starts (302) and minutes (25,985 in all competitions). The St. Charles, Mo. native helped the club win MLS Cups in 2006 and 2007 and reach two additional MLS Cup Finals in 2011 and 2012. The original Dynamo also holds club records for playoff appearances (27), starts (26) and assists (9). The 14-year MLS veteran is third on the league's all-time assists (122) and games (368) lists.
The Saint Louis University product won four consecutive Dynamo MVP awards from 2009-12 and was runner up for MLS MVP in 2011 after tallying a career-high 16 assists. The former Dynamo captain has earned 17 caps with the U.S. men’s national team, including a start against Germany in the final group stage game at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
The Dynamo open camp on Jan. 25.