It was the Dynamo's sixth season with head coach Dominic Kinnear and majority owner Philip Anschultz.

It was Chris Canettis first season as team president, having worked as chief operating officer for the previous five.

Prior to the season, Houston was switched to MLS's Eastern Conference along with Sporting Kansas City due to expansion teams Portland Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps FC joining the Western Conference.

During the 2011 MLS Cup Playoffs, Houston beat the Philadelphia Union 3–1 over two legs.

The Dynamo failed to qualify for the U.S. Open Cup, losing to Sporting Kansas City in the Qualification Semi-finals.