Nelson Quiñones Bio
Nelson Giovany Quiñónes Iturre, commonly known as Nelson Quiñones, is a Colombian professional footballer born on 20 August 2002 in Tumaco, Colombia. Standing at 1.75 meters tall, he plays as a winger and is widely regarded as one of the promising young attackers in South American and North American football. He is currently signed with Major League Soccer club Houston Dynamo, where he has played since the 2023 season after the club made his loan move permanent. Known for his pace, dribbling ability, and creativity in the final third, Quiñónes represents a new generation of Colombian wingers making their mark in MLS.
Nelson Quiñones Early Life and Background
Nelson Giovany Quiñónes Iturre was born on 20 August 2002 in Tumaco, a port city located in the Nariño department on Colombia’s Pacific coast. Tumaco is well known in Colombia for its deep football culture and has produced several professional footballers over the years. Growing up in this environment, Quiñones was exposed to the sport from a young age, often playing street football and joining local youth tournaments before being noticed by scouts from professional clubs.
As a young boy, Quiñones moved through various local academies in his home region, where he began developing the technical skills that would later define his career as a winger. His performances in youth competitions eventually earned him a place in the academy of Once Caldas, one of Colombia’s most established football clubs based in the city of Manizales. Once Caldas, famously known for winning the 2004 Copa Libertadores, has a strong tradition of developing young Colombian talent, and Quiñones joined their youth ranks to continue his football education.
Coming from a region with limited resources, Quiñones had to overcome significant challenges to reach the professional level. His family provided strong support during his formative years, encouraging him to pursue his dream of becoming a professional footballer. The combination of natural talent, dedication, and the opportunity to train at Once Caldas set the foundation for his rise through Colombian football.
Nelson Quiñones Path to Soccer
Quiñones came through the youth ranks of Once Caldas, where he gradually progressed through the various age categories before earning a spot in the first team. His performances in the youth divisions caught the attention of the coaching staff, who recognized his potential as an attacking winger. On 24 July 2021, at the age of 18, he made his first-team debut for Once Caldas, coming off the bench in a 1–1 draw against Jaguares de Córdoba in the Colombian top flight. This debut marked the beginning of his professional career and confirmed his status as one of the club’s most promising young players.
Just a few months after his debut, on 6 November 2021, Quiñones scored his first professional goal for Once Caldas in a 2–1 win over Envigado, also recording an assist in the same match. He finished his debut season with 11 appearances, 1 goal, and 1 assist as Once Caldas finished 17th in the Torneo Finalización standings. During the 2022 Torneo Apertura, Quiñones continued to develop, making 15 appearances as Once Caldas finished 12th in the first stage of the competition. He also featured in the Copa Colombia and the 2022 Torneo Finalización before securing a move abroad.
In July 2022, Houston Dynamo of Major League Soccer signed Quiñones on a year-long loan with an option to make the deal permanent. This move represented a major step in his career, giving him the opportunity to play in one of the top football leagues in North America. He made his MLS debut on 27 August 2022, coming on as a substitute in a 2–1 loss to Minnesota United, and went on to make 8 appearances for the Dynamo that season, all from the bench.
Nelson Quiñones Career
Early Career at Once Caldas (2021–2022)
Nelson Quiñones began his professional career with Once Caldas in 2021, joining the first team at the age of 18 after progressing through the club’s youth system. His debut against Jaguares de Córdoba marked the start of a two-year spell with the Colombian club, during which he gradually established himself as a regular squad member. His first professional goal against Envigado in November 2021 demonstrated his attacking instincts and ability to contribute in the final third.
Throughout his time at Once Caldas, Quiñones made a total of 31 appearances across all competitions, including league matches and cup games. Although the team struggled for consistency in the Colombian top flight during this period, his individual development continued to progress. His performances were enough to attract the attention of clubs abroad, ultimately leading to his loan move to Houston Dynamo in the summer of 2022.
Houston Dynamo Breakthrough (2023)
The 2023 season proved to be a breakout year for Quiñones at Houston Dynamo. On 6 June 2023, he scored his first goal for the club in a 4–1 victory over the Chicago Fire in the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals. Just four days later, he netted his first career MLS goal in a commanding 4–0 win against Los Angeles FC, signaling his arrival as a genuine attacking threat in the league.
His growing influence was recognized on 13 July 2023, when Houston exercised their option to make his stay permanent. The reported transfer fee was $1,250,000, with Once Caldas retaining a 25% sell-on clause as part of the agreement. On 7 October 2023, Quiñones delivered a standout performance with 2 goals and 1 assist in a 5–1 win over the Colorado Rapids, earning him his first-ever selection to the MLS Team of the Matchday.
Quiñones finished the 2023 MLS regular season with 4 goals and 2 assists across 28 appearances, helping Houston Dynamo finish 4th in the Western Conference and qualify for the playoffs for the first time in six years. He added 1 assist in 5 playoff matches as Houston reached the Western Conference Finals, where they were eliminated 2–0 by LAFC. The highlight of the season came in the U.S. Open Cup, where Quiñones won a penalty that was converted to seal a 2–1 victory over Inter Miami in the final. Following the season, he was named Houston Dynamo Young Player of the Year.
Houston Dynamo Era and Injury Setback (2024)
Following his standout 2023 campaign, Quiñones suffered a significant setback in February 2024 when he sustained a knee injury while playing with the Colombia U23 national team. The injury forced him to miss the entire 2024 MLS season, a major disappointment for both the player and the Houston Dynamo organization. His absence was felt on the field as Houston looked to build on their playoff appearance from the previous year.
Notable Events and Milestones
Quiñones’ first MLS goal against Los Angeles FC in June 2023 stands as one of the defining moments of his early career in North American soccer. His performance against the Colorado Rapids later that season earned him national recognition through the MLS Team of the Matchday honor. Additionally, winning the 2023 U.S. Open Cup with Houston Dynamo represents the first major trophy of his professional career.
Nelson Quiñones Career Wins
Since beginning his professional career in 2021, Nelson Quiñones has built a steadily growing collection of achievements across Colombian and American soccer. His most significant accomplishment to date is winning the 2023 U.S. Open Cup with Houston Dynamo, where he played a decisive role in the final against Inter Miami. He has also earned individual recognition, including selection to the MLS Team of the Matchday and the Houston Dynamo Young Player of the Year award.
Houston Dynamo Highlights
During his time with Houston Dynamo, Quiñones scored 5 goals and contributed several assists across MLS regular season and U.S. Open Cup matches. His first Dynamo goal came in the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals against Chicago Fire, and his first MLS goal followed shortly after against Los Angeles FC. He has been a key contributor to the club’s push to return to MLS playoff contention and trophy contention.
Other Wins & Performances
At Once Caldas, Quiñones helped the club compete in both the Colombian top flight and the Copa Colombia during the 2021 and 2022 seasons. His debut season goal against Envigado and his consistent appearances during the 2022 Torneo Apertura marked him as one of the most promising young wingers in Colombian football.
Nelson Quiñones Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Nelson Quiñones comes from Tumaco, Colombia, a coastal city known for its vibrant football culture. Public information about his immediate family members remains limited, as he tends to keep his personal and family life private. His move from Tumaco to the Once Caldas academy in Manizales represented a significant transition in his young life.
2025 Season Outlook
As the 2025 MLS season approaches, Nelson Quiñones will be looking to bounce back from the knee injury that kept him out of the entire 2024 campaign. Recovery progress during the offseason will be crucial in determining his availability and form for the early part of the season. Houston Dynamo will be counting on his creativity and attacking threat to help the club build on their 2023 playoff appearance and U.S. Open Cup victory.
If fully fit, Quiñones has the potential to return to the level of performance that earned him national recognition in 2023, when he was named to the MLS Team of the Matchday and won the Dynamo Young Player of the Year award. His combination of pace, dribbling, and playmaking ability makes him a valuable asset for the Dynamo’s attacking unit. The 2025 season represents an important opportunity for the young Colombian winger to re-establish himself as one of the rising stars of Major League Soccer.