Brooklyn Raines Houston Dynamo FC Midfielder #35 Profile and Performance Analysis
Alright, folks, if you’re tracking young talent shaking up Major League Soccer, you just can’t look past Brooklyn Raines. He’s the midfielder for Houston Dynamo FC, wearing number 35, and let me tell you—this kid’s got something special. At only 20, Raines already finds ways to stand out as a key contributor for the Dynamo, showing maturity on the field that’s honestly rare at his age.
Born in Liberia, now repping the United States at the youth level, Raines brings a story of grit and skill that’s hard not to root for. His journey feels unique in a league full of stories.
Every time Raines steps on the pitch, he injects energy and technical flair into Houston’s midfield. Last season, he racked up 20 appearances and—get this—became the youngest Dynamo player to go the full 90 in a match against St. Louis CITY SC.
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His time with the U.S. Youth National Team keeps adding polish to his game. That international seasoning? It’s showing.
You might catch him linking up play, breaking up attacks, or pushing forward with swagger. If you’re following Houston this season, keep your eyes peeled for Raines—he’s got the tools and drive to turn heads for a long time.
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Brooklyn Raines: Player Overview
Brooklyn Raines is Houston Dynamo FC’s young midfielder, wearing #35. His quick rise to the first team, his physical tools, and his role in the squad have already made waves across the country.
Full Name and Background
Brooklyn Sigel Randolph Raines—that’s the full name. Born March 11, 2005, in Monrovia, Liberia, he moved to the U.S. as a kid, which gave him a pretty diverse perspective on and off the field.
Growing up stateside, he jumped right into elite soccer academies and hustled through the youth ranks. That drive? You can see it in his play.
Raines is a top prospect for both Houston and the U.S. youth national teams. He’s made important appearances for the Dynamo and earned call-ups for the U.S. U-20 squad, proving his skills on both the club and international stage.
You can dig deeper into his story via his Houston Dynamo profile.
Physical Attributes
Raines stands out for his athleticism and mobility in midfield. He’s not towering—about 5’9″—but he uses his frame to stay balanced and battle for the ball.
His stamina? That’s a real weapon. He covers ground like few others and never seems to duck defensive work.
Those quick feet let him change direction, keep the ball tight under pressure, and recover fast when things get dicey. He’s still adding some muscle, but his physical profile already fits what Houston Dynamo needs in the center.
Position and Squad Number
You’ll usually spot Raines in the middle of the park for Houston Dynamo FC. With #35 on his back, he’s trusted to control the ball, launch attacks, and give defensive support.
A homegrown player through and through, Raines proves the club believes in his ability to handle midfield responsibilities.
Here’s a quick look at his recent club stats:
| Season | Club | Appearances | Starts | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Houston Dynamo FC | 20 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
He’s not a big goal scorer, but his focus on possession and ball movement is huge for Houston. Practical, steady, and always connecting the lines.
You can check out more of his numbers in detailed stats and reports.
Career Path and Club History
Brooklyn Raines has gone from promising youth standout to dedicated midfielder for Houston Dynamo FC. His path includes years of hard work and bold choices at a young age, all leading to Major League Soccer.
Youth Development
Raines started out with Inter FC Chicago, a club known for shaping young talent. That early environment let him pick up the basics—technical skills, tactical awareness—pretty quickly.
His move to the Barça Residency Academy in Arizona marked another leap. There, he sharpened his midfield positioning and picked up more speed. Great coaches and tough competition helped him prove he could hang with the best.
Playing for U.S. youth national teams, Raines started getting noticed beyond his club. Those international matches really showed off his soccer IQ and adaptability. Coaches liked his vision and discipline—key traits for a midfielder eyeing the pro level.
Senior Career Progression
All that work paid off when Raines jumped into the pro scene at just 16. He joined Houston Dynamo 2 in MLS NEXT Pro and faced off against older, seasoned players right away.
He didn’t wait around on the bench. Raines logged serious minutes and impressed with his defensive awareness and sharp passing. Houston Dynamo FC noticed his maturity and started prepping him for first-team action in Major League Soccer.
Here’s a quick summary of his early club stats:
| Season | Team | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Dynamo 2 (MLSNP) | 23 | 1 | 2 |
| 2023 | Houston Dynamo FC | 20 | 0 | 1 |
| 2024 | Houston Dynamo FC | 20 | 0 | 2 |
Transfer to Houston Dynamo FC
Signing with Houston Dynamo FC as a Homegrown Player? That was a huge step. He made his first MLS appearance in 2023 and became the youngest Dynamo player to finish a full match, facing St. Louis CITY SC in October.
Since then, Raines has built a reputation for consistency. He’s known for crisp passes and sharp defensive reads. Those U.S. Youth National Team call-ups? They show his club form is turning heads nationally. He’s a midfielder to watch heading into the 2025 MLS season.
If you want to follow along, check out his Houston Dynamo player profile.
Role as a Midfielder for Houston Dynamo FC
Brooklyn Raines is right at the heart of Houston Dynamo FC’s midfield. His job? It demands skill, vision, and real technical chops at the highest MLS level.
Central Midfield Role
When you tune in, Raines is usually in the thick of it, pulling the strings from central midfield. He links up the defense and attack, keeping the ball moving with short, accurate passes that let Houston control the tempo.
His work rate jumps off the screen. He drops back to help the defense when things get tight, then surges forward when he sees an opening. Raines breaks up attacks, intercepts passes, and gets the ball moving the other way in a flash.
Here’s a glance at his 2024 regular season stats for Houston Dynamo FC:
| Matches Played | Starts | Minutes | Pass Accuracy | Tackles | Interceptions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | 5 | 1,000+ | 85% | 35 | 18 |
Playing Style and Strengths
Raines plays with a calm you don’t often see in young players. He keeps the ball under pressure and picks out the right pass. You’ll see him scanning the pitch, always looking for the next move.
His strengths? Quick decisions and tight ball control. When Houston needs to get out from the back, he’s usually the first guy they look for. Defensively, he’s just as important—tracking back, winning the ball, and launching attacks.
Stamina and intensity are big parts of his game. He runs all day, helps out in both halves, and rarely looks out of place. That steady play helped him become one of the youngest to play a full match for Houston, as highlighted by the official team site.
Key Matches and Performances
You might remember when Raines made headlines for going the full 90 as the youngest Dynamo player, back on October 10 against St. Louis CITY SC. That day, he tackled hard, distributed the ball confidently, and made key recoveries to keep Houston in control.
In 2024, he made 20 MLS appearances, starting five times. He shut down opposing midfielders in tight games and kept Dynamo organized under pressure. His consistency all season long made him a go-to guy for Houston, as you can see in the MLS match reports.
These are the moments that show why coaches trust him in big spots.
International Experience
Brooklyn Raines has built his reputation by competing for the United States youth national team. Regular call-ups have given him valuable experience and helped sharpen his game for both club and country, especially when it matters most.
United States Youth National Teams
Let’s talk about Brooklyn Raines—his journey with the U.S. youth programs really stands out. He was born in Monrovia, Liberia, but he chose to represent the United States in international play, and you can see his commitment every time he pulls on that jersey.
Raines plays in midfield and has already featured for the United States U-20 Men’s Youth National Team more than a few times. He’s joined national team camps, made appearances in international matches, and honestly, that puts him a step ahead of a lot of young players in MLS right now.
His time with the USYNT programs gives him a bit of an edge when he’s out there in Major League Soccer, especially considering his age. Coaches and scouts have definitely noticed those national team appearances.
Raines stands out for his composure and work rate—two things you just can’t teach overnight. That’s what you get from representing your country at a young age.
Tournaments and Notable Achievements
If you’re tracking Raines’s milestones, you’ll find a few moments that really pop. Raines has earned call-ups for the U.S. U-20 Men’s Youth National Team for both international friendlies and tournament play.
With every camp and match, he’s building experience that’s already paying off in Major League Soccer. One of his big achievements? He became one of the youngest Houston Dynamo players ever to start and finish a full MLS match, and that came right after his time with the national team.
That kind of trust from coaches doesn’t come easy. It shows he can adapt to different styles and handle tough environments.
Notable International Matches:
| Year | Age | National Team | Matches Played | Minutes Played |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 18 | U.S. U-20 | 8 | 420 |
| 2024 | 19 | U.S. U-20 | 6 | 310 |
You can see his skills develop every year. He’s got his sights set on the full national team, and honestly, who wouldn’t be excited to see where he goes next?
2025 MLS Season Performance
Brooklyn Raines stepped into a big midfield role for Houston Dynamo FC this season. His play has shown consistency, maturity in possession, and he’s really made an impact on both ends of the pitch.
Statistics and Highlights
Raines has made 12 appearances for Houston Dynamo so far in the 2025 MLS season. Sure, he hasn’t scored, but his value shows up in other ways.
He’s completed over 86% of his passes, which is a fantastic number for a young central midfielder. Defensively, he’s chipping in with an average of 2.1 tackles and 1.3 interceptions per game.
Here’s a quick look at his main stats for the season:
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 12 |
| Goals | 0 |
| Assists | 0 |
| Pass Completion % | 86 |
| Tackles per game | 2.1 |
| Interceptions/game | 1.3 |
If you want to dig deeper, check out Brooklyn Raines’ numbers at FootyStats.
Impact in Key Fixtures
In those high-pressure matches against top MLS teams, Raines shows up on the stat sheet for challenges and passes. During tense games, like the draw with CF Montréal, he gave Houston vital cover in midfield and helped keep possession when every touch mattered.
When Houston needed to slow things down or protect a lead, Raines kept his cool. He made short, safe passes in tight spots, which helped Dynamo avoid turnovers and stay organized defensively.
Coaches have trusted him in late-game situations. That says a lot about his growing influence with the club.
He’s also chipped in with some key clearances and set-piece recoveries, showing how switched-on he is during defensive transitions.
Performance Against Real Salt Lake
When Houston Dynamo squared off against Real Salt Lake, Raines really took his defensive game up a notch. He pressed RSL’s midfielders and intercepted several loose balls.
His ability to read the play and disrupt passing lanes made life tough for Salt Lake’s attackers. In that match, he posted one of his best pass completion rates, hardly losing possession even under pressure.
It wasn’t flashy, but the composure and reliability he showed in a heated contest really stood out. For more on games like this, check out MLSsoccer.com.
Raines’s work rate and tactical smarts gave Houston the edge in midfield, helping the team secure a big result against a strong Western Conference rival.
Personal Background and Off-Field Details
Brooklyn Raines brings a unique story and international flavor to Houston Dynamo FC. His background, heritage, and life off the field all play a part in shaping him as both a player and a person.
Birthplace and Early Life
Brooklyn Sigel Randolph Raines was born on March 11, 2005, in Monrovia, Liberia. He grew up surrounded by Liberia’s challenges and culture before moving to the United States.
That move opened new doors—both in school and on the soccer field. As a young athlete in the U.S., Raines quickly joined youth soccer clubs and made a name for himself with his calmness and technical ability.
His journey from Monrovia to Major League Soccer? It’s all about focus and determination.
Quick Facts Table:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Brooklyn Sigel Randolph Raines |
| Date of Birth | March 11, 2005 |
| Place of Birth | Monrovia, Liberia |
| Moved to United States | Yes |
You can see how his Liberian roots and American upbringing both played a role in preparing him for pro soccer.
Nationality and Heritage
Raines keeps strong ties to both Liberia and the United States. He was born in Liberia, but he’s out there representing the United States at youth international levels.
That dual heritage is something he’s clearly proud of. It gives him a multicultural outlook, both on and off the pitch.
He’s eligible for both the Liberian and American national teams, which opens some interesting doors for his future. If you want to follow his story with the U.S. Youth National Team, his biographical profile is a good place to start.
Being an American with Liberian roots helps him connect with teammates and fans from all sorts of backgrounds. You can see that blend of influences in his style of play and his values, both on the field and away from it.
Off-the-Pitch Interests
Off the field, Brooklyn Raines comes across as grounded, always looking to sharpen his game. He likes to kick back and watch top-level soccer matches, picking apart tactics and soaking up lessons from the best in the sport.
A lot of his teammates mention how he’s always eager to learn, even when the team’s not practicing. You’ve got to respect that kind of drive.
He follows international soccer leagues pretty closely. Honestly, he seems to enjoy reading about other athletes’ journeys too, especially those who’ve made it big.
Staying connected with his roots in Liberia matters to him. Raines puts a lot of energy into giving back and tries to inspire kids who have dreams like his.
You’ll notice his focus on education and personal growth if you catch his interviews or media spots. He really cares about being well-rounded—not just a top player, but a complete person.
