By Sasha Colcheck
HOUSTON (March 14, 2023) – Houston Dynamo FC acquired midfielder Latif Blessing in a trade with Toronto FC, both teams announced today. The Dynamo sent $75,000 in 2025 General Allocation Money (GAM) in exchange for the 27-year-old winger. Toronto could receive up to an additional $200,000 in 2025 GAM connected to performance-based incentives.
“Latif is a proven winner in our league, whose positional versatility will be invaluable as we continue to navigate the busiest competition calendar in club history,” said Dynamo General Manager Pat Onstad. “We look forward to welcoming Latif and his family to the city of Houston and hope to integrate him into the team as soon as possible.”
Blessing is an MLS veteran, currently in his eighth season in the United States’ top league. The Ghanian has amassed 190 regular season appearances (137 starts), five postseason matches and spent time with Sporting Kansas City (2017), LAFC (2018-22), the New England Revolution (2023) and Toronto FC (2023-24). Blessing has tallied 17 goals and 25 assists during his MLS career.
Blessing spent the bulk of his career with LAFC after being selected in the 2017 MLS Expansion Draft, helping Los Angeles win the Supporters’ Shield in 2019 and 2022 and the MLS Cup in 2022 during his final season with the club. The midfielder started his MLS career with Kansas City, winning the 2017 U.S. Open Cup.
Born and raised in Accra, Ghana, Blessing launched his professional career in 2016 with Liberty Professionals and was named the Ghana Premier League Player of the Year after leading the topflight with 17 goals. He was also a finalist for the 2016 Ghanaian FA Cup Most Valuable Player award, helping the club reach the semifinals of the knockout competition.
TRANSACTION: Houston Dynamo FC acquire midfielder Latif Blessing from Toronto FC in exchange for $75,000 in General Allocation Money and additional performance-based incentives.
LATIF BLESSING BIO:
NAME: Latif Blessing
POSITION: Midfielder
DATE OF BIRTH: December 30, 1996 (27)
BIRTHPLACE: Accra, Ghana
HEIGHT: 5 ft. 7 in.
WEIGHT: 141 lbs.
PREVIOUS CLUB: Toronto FC
FIFA NATIONALITY: Ghana
COURTESY HOUSTON DYNAMO FC COMMUNICATIONS