Daniel Steres Bio
Daniel Howard Steres, born on November 11, 1990, is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defender. He has built a steady career across Major League Soccer and the lower divisions of American soccer, most recently turning in years of service with the LA Galaxy before moving to Houston Dynamo. Steres is recognized for his time with the LA Galaxy II development side and for earning multiple USL All-League selections during his rise to MLS.
Standing at 183 centimeters tall, Steres has lined up primarily as a centerback throughout his career. He has been noted for his composure in defense, his willingness to step forward into the attack, and his consistency over long stretches of league play. His path from college soccer at San Diego State to a starting role with one of MLS’s flagship franchises reflects years of patient development in the USL ranks.
Early Life and Background
Daniel Howard Steres was born in Burbank, California, to Mark and Suzie Steres. He grew up in nearby Calabasas, California, where he spent most of his childhood. Steres has a younger brother named Andrew, and the family is Jewish. His maternal grandmother is Jo Seligman, and his paternal grandparents are Bob and Rochelle Steres.
From a young age, Steres developed a deep connection to the game of soccer. He began his organized career with the DMS11 youth program, playing on the same U-11 side all the way through the U-19 level. During his time with DMS11, Steres helped the club capture a Dallas Cup championship, an early sign of his competitive edge. He also grew up as a fan of the LA Galaxy, listing Cobi Jones and Mauricio Cienfuegos among his favorite players, and developed a strong affinity for English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur.
Steres attended Calabasas High School, where he played four years for the Coyotes soccer team. He earned Maramonte League selection honors twice and was named to the all-California Interscholastic Federation team. These accomplishments at the high school level laid the groundwork for his transition to the college ranks.
Path to Soccer
After completing his high school career, Daniel Howard Steres took his game to San Diego State University, where he played four years of college soccer for the San Diego State Aztecs men’s soccer team from 2008 to 2011. He joined the program on scholarship and made an immediate impression, earning the Aztecs’ Top Newcomer award as a freshman in 2008. That same year, he was named to the Jewish Sports Review All-America First Team alongside Zac MacMath.
Across his college career, Steres steadily built his résumé. He picked up an honorable mention for the All-Pac-10 Team and the Pac-10 All-Academic Team in 2009, then elevated his play to land on the All-Pac-10 Second Team in 2010 as a junior. In his senior season of 2011, he was named NSCAA All-Far West Region First Team, All-Pac-12 First Team, Pac-12 All-Academic honorable mention, and the Aztecs’ Team MVP. These accolades helped position him for selection in the 2012 MLS Supplemental Draft.
Daniel Steres Career
Early Career (2011–2013)
Steres was drafted 28th overall in the 2012 MLS Supplemental Draft by Chivas USA, but he did not sign a professional contract with the club. During his college offseason in 2011, he had already gained senior experience with the Ventura County Fusion of the USL Premier Development League. He returned to the Fusion briefly before his draft year, continuing his amateur development while awaiting his next opportunity.
On June 6, 2012, Steres was selected by Seattle Sounders FC in the MLS Waiver Draft, and he signed with the club on June 22. He was released at the end of the season without making a first team appearance. In 2013, Steres joined USL Pro side Wilmington Hammerheads, where he became a central figure. He debuted on April 20 in a 2–0 win over Antigua Barracuda and scored his first goal for the club on May 18 in a 2–1 victory against the Los Angeles Blues. He finished the season with 25 appearances, 7 goals, and 3 assists, leading the team in scoring while playing as a centerback, earning USL Pro All-League Second Team honors and the Hammerheads’ MVP award.
LA Galaxy II Era (2014–2015)
For the 2014 season, Daniel Howard Steres signed with LA Galaxy II in USL Pro and quickly became a leader in defense. He debuted on March 22, scoring once in a 3–1 win over Orange County Blues FC. He finished the regular season with 3 goals in 24 appearances, helping Galaxy II to a third-place finish and a playoff berth. He started both playoff matches as Los Dos reached the semifinal, where they fell 3–2 to eventual champions Sacramento Republic FC. Steres was again named to the USL Pro All-League Second Team and earned LA Galaxy II Defender of the Year honors.
In 2015, Steres served as team captain and remained the backbone of the Galaxy II back line. He made 25 appearances and scored 2 goals in the regular season, leading Galaxy II to a fifth-place finish in the conference. He played every minute of all four playoff games as the club reached the USL Championship, eventually losing 2–1 in extra time to the Rochester Rhinos. His strong season was rewarded with a USL All-League First Team selection and a second straight LA Galaxy II Defender of the Year award.
LA Galaxy Era (2016–2021)
On December 17, 2015, Steres signed a first-team contract with the LA Galaxy, beginning his MLS career. He made an immediate impact, debuting on March 6, 2016, in the season opener against D.C. United, scoring once in a 4–1 win. He finished his first MLS season with 1 goal and 1 assist across 31 appearances, helping the Galaxy to a third-place finish in the Western Conference. He played every minute of all three playoff matches as LA reached the Conference Semifinals, where they were eliminated on penalties by the Colorado Rapids. He also appeared in the CONCACAF Champions League and the U.S. Open Cup during the campaign.
In 2017, Steres opened the season as a starter but missed time due to a hamstring injury, returning on July 17 against Vancouver Whitecaps FC. He scored twice against the New England Revolution on July 22 in a 4–3 loss, but a stress fracture in his back ended his season early. He closed the year with 3 goals in 21 appearances as the Galaxy finished last in the Western Conference. Steres bounced back in 2018, starting on March 24 in a 3–0 win over Vancouver Whitecaps FC, an effort that earned him a spot in the MLS Team of the Week. On March 31, he recorded an assist in the Galaxy’s 4–3 comeback victory over rivals Los Angeles Football Club in the first-ever El Tráfico match. He closed the regular season with 20 appearances and 1 assist as LA finished seventh in the West, narrowly missing the playoffs.
The 2019 season brought a return to the postseason for Steres and the Galaxy. He scored in the opening match against the Chicago Fire and added another goal in a 2–0 win over Vancouver Whitecaps FC on April 5, once again earning MLS Team of the Week honors. He made 30 appearances and scored 3 goals in the regular season, helping LA to a fifth-place finish and a return to the playoffs. He played the full match in both playoff games as the Galaxy reached the Conference Semifinals, where they lost 5–3 to Los Angeles Football Club. On December 12, 2019, Steres signed a new contract to remain with the Galaxy.
In the COVID-shortened 2020 season, Steres appeared in 20 of 23 possible matches, all starts, and scored once, including a goal in a 3–2 win over the San Jose Earthquakes on August 29. The Galaxy finished tenth in the Western Conference and missed the playoffs. Steres started the first eight games of the 2021 season before a leg injury on June 19 forced him off early in a 2–1 loss to Seattle Sounders FC. He returned on July 17 as a late substitute against Vancouver Whitecaps FC, and his performance against the Colorado Rapids on September 11 earned him another Team of the Week selection. He finished the year with 18 appearances and 2 assists as the Galaxy finished eighth in the West, missing the postseason for the second straight year.
Houston Dynamo Era (2022–Present)
On December 12, 2021, Daniel Howard Steres was traded to the Houston Dynamo in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft. He made his Dynamo debut on February 27, 2022, playing the full 90 minutes in a 0–0 draw against Real Salt Lake. He scored his first Dynamo goal on August 13 in a 3–2 loss to CF Montréal and recorded his first Houston assist a week later, setting up Sebastián Ferreira in stoppage time to salvage a 1–1 draw against the Colorado Rapids. He finished the regular season with 18 appearances, 2 goals, and 1 assist, though Houston finished thirteenth in the Western Conference and missed the playoffs.
On November 3, 2022, Steres and the Houston Dynamo agreed to a new contract running through 2024, with an option for 2025. He continued to feature as a veteran centerback within the Houston back line during the following seasons.
Driving Style and Strengths
Although he operates as a defender rather than a driver, Steres has earned a reputation for a composed and physical playing style at centerback. He reads the game well from a deep position, organizes the back line, and contributes occasional goals and assists from set pieces and attacking runs. His leadership was a recurring theme at LA Galaxy II, where he captained the side to deep playoff runs, and his willingness to play every minute of postseason matches has been a hallmark of his time in MLS.
Notable Events and Milestones
Steres’s most memorable MLS moments include his dream debut goal against D.C. United in 2016, his two-goal performance against the New England Revolution in 2017, and his assist in the first-ever El Tráfico match in 2018. He is also recognized for captaining LA Galaxy II to the 2015 USL Championship final and for earning USL All-League First Team honors in 2015.
Daniel Steres Career Wins
Across his time in the lower divisions and Major League Soccer, Daniel Howard Steres has accumulated consistent goal contributions from the centerback position. While he is primarily valued for his defensive work, his career includes multiple All-League selections and team awards that reflect his impact in key matches.
USL Pro and USL Highlights
Steres scored 7 goals for the Wilmington Hammerheads in 2013 and added further goals across his time with LA Galaxy II. He was named to the USL Pro All-League Second Team in 2013 and 2014, and to the USL All-League First Team in 2015. He also earned LA Galaxy II Defender of the Year in 2014 and 2015, underlining his role as the foundation of that defense.
Other Wins and Performances
During his time with LA Galaxy II, Steres helped the club reach the 2014 USL Pro semifinals and the 2015 USL Championship final. He also contributed to the LA Galaxy’s playoff runs in 2016 and 2019, playing every minute of those postseason matches.
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Daniel Steres Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Daniel Howard Steres was raised in Calabasas, California, by his parents Mark and Suzie Steres. He has a younger brother, Andrew, and the family maintains strong Jewish traditions. His maternal grandmother is Jo Seligman, and his paternal grandparents are Bob and Rochelle Steres.
Steres grew up as a devoted supporter of the LA Galaxy, the club where he would later spend six MLS seasons. He also follows English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur and has spoken about the influence of childhood idols Cobi Jones and Mauricio Cienfuegos on his early love for the game.
2025 Season Performance
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, Daniel Howard Steres remained under contract with the Houston Dynamo following his November 2022 deal that ran through 2024 with an option for 2025. As a veteran centerback, he was expected to provide leadership and stability along the Houston back line, mentoring younger defenders while competing for a starting role.
Houston opted to focus on a transitional 2025 campaign, with Steres offering continuity in central defense. His experience from multiple MLS playoff pushes with the LA Galaxy, combined with his USL leadership credentials, positioned him as a stabilizing presence during a season of roster adjustments.
Following the conclusion of the 2025 season, the Houston Dynamo declined Steres’s contract option, ending his time with the club. His overall 2025 contribution reinforced his reputation as a reliable defender capable of contributing in both defensive and attacking phases of play.