The Dynamo entered the 2016 Major League Soccer season looking to return to the MLS Cup Playoffs after failing to qualify the previous two seasons but instead missed the playoffs for the third consecutive year, a club record, and finished in last place in the Western Conference.

For transfers in, dates listed are when Houston Dynamo officially signed the players to the roster.

For transfers out, dates listed are when Houston Dynamo officially removed the players from its roster, not when they signed with another club.

Draft picks are not automatically signed to the team roster.

Only trades involving draft picks and executed after the start of 2015 MLS SuperDraft will be listed in the notes.