Nelson Quiñones Bio
Nelson Giovany Quiñónes Iturre, born on 20 August 2002 in Tumaco, Colombia, is a Colombian professional footballer who plays as a winger. He is widely recognized for his time in Major League Soccer with Houston Dynamo, where his speed and creativity on the flank became central to the team’s attacking play. Quiñónes began his professional career with Once Caldas before making a permanent move to Houston, where he contributed to one of the most important seasons in the club’s recent history.
Standing 1.75 m tall, Quiñónes has built a reputation as a direct, attack-minded winger capable of delivering key passes, drawing fouls in dangerous areas, and finishing chances at the MLS level. His journey from a youth academy in Colombia to a key role in an MLS cup-winning side has marked him as one of the more notable young South American players of his generation.
Early Life and Background
Nelson Giovany Quiñónes Iturre was born on 20 August 2002 in Tumaco, a port city in the Nariño department of Colombia. Tumaco is known for its deep football culture, and the sport has long been a central part of life for young people growing up in the region. From an early age, Quiñónes showed an aptitude for the game, and his family supported his development through local youth football.
As a young player, Quiñónes joined the academy of Once Caldas, one of the historic clubs of Colombian football based in Manizales. He progressed steadily through the youth ranks, refining the technical and physical skills that would later define his professional style. His development in the academy laid the foundation for his transition into senior football.
Path to Soccer
Quiñónes rose through the youth system at Once Caldas, where he trained with the club’s reserve and first-team setups during his teenage years. The academy environment gave him regular exposure to high-level coaching and competitive matches, helping him adapt to the demands of professional football. By the time he turned 18, he had earned the trust of the coaching staff and was ready for his first-team opportunity.
His performances in the youth ranks earned him a path to senior football with El Blanco, where he would make his professional debut. The move from academy football to the Colombian first division represented a major step in his career and set the stage for a journey that would eventually take him abroad to Major League Soccer.
Nelson Quiñones Career
Early Career (2021–2022)
Quiñónes made his senior debut for Once Caldas on 24 July 2021, entering as a substitute in a 1–1 draw against Jaguares de Córdoba at the age of 18. Later that season, on 6 November, he scored his first goal for the club and added an assist in a 2–1 victory over Envigado. He finished his debut campaign with 11 appearances, 1 goal, and 1 assist as Once Caldas ended the Torneo Finalización in 17th place.
During the 2022 Torneo Apertura, Quiñónes continued to feature regularly, making 15 appearances as Once Caldas finished 12th in the first stage. He also added 2 appearances in the Copa Colombia and 3 more in the 2022 Torneo Finalización before the arrangement that would take him abroad was finalized.
Once Caldas Breakthrough (2021–2022)
Quiñónes’ first season in senior football established him as a promising young winger within the Once Caldas squad. His willingness to take on defenders and his ability to contribute both goals and assists drew attention from clubs abroad. The experience of consistent first-team minutes helped him prepare for a move to a higher level of competition.
By the middle of 2022, his form was strong enough to attract interest from Major League Soccer. Houston Dynamo moved to secure his services on loan, with an option to make the transfer permanent.
Houston Dynamo Era (2022–2026)
On 27 July 2022, Quiñónes signed with Houston Dynamo on a year-long loan with an option to make the deal permanent. He made his Dynamo debut on 27 August, coming on as a substitute in a 2–1 loss to Minnesota United. He finished his first MLS season with 8 appearances, all as a substitute, as Houston finished 13th in the Western Conference and missed the playoffs.
His second season with Houston marked his true arrival in MLS. On 6 June 2023, Quiñónes scored his first Dynamo goal to help the team to a 4–1 U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal victory over the Chicago Fire. Four days later, he scored his first MLS goal in a 4–0 win against Los Angeles FC. On 13 July, Houston exercised their option to make the move permanent for a reported fee of $1,250,000, with Once Caldas retaining a 25% sell-on clause. On 7 October, he was named to the MLS Team of the Matchday after a 5–1 win over the Colorado Rapids, in which he recorded 2 goals and 1 assist.
Quiñónes finished the 2023 regular season with 4 goals and 2 assists across 28 MLS appearances, helping Houston 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 the Dynamo reached the Western Conference Finals, where they fell 2–0 to LAFC. The crowning moment of the season came when Houston won the 2023 U.S. Open Cup, defeating Inter Miami 2–1 in the final. Quiñónes drew the foul in the box that set up the decisive penalty, converted by Amine Bassi. Following the campaign, he was named Dynamo Young Player of the Year. In February 2024, a knee injury while playing with the Colombia U23 team forced him to miss the entire 2024 season. On 18 March 2026, he was waived by Houston.
Driving Style and Strengths
Quiñónes plays as a direct, attack-minded winger who combines acceleration with the ability to take on defenders in one-on-one situations. He is comfortable operating on either flank and is known for drawing fouls in dangerous areas, an asset that contributed directly to set-piece opportunities during Houston’s 2023 cup run. His combination of pace, technical skill, and willingness to attack the back line has made him a consistent attacking contributor.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the defining moments of his career, Quiñónes’ foul-drawing play in the 2023 U.S. Open Cup Final against Inter Miami stands out as a championship-defining contribution. His first MLS goal against Los Angeles FC, his first Team of the Matchday honor against the Colorado Rapids, and his role in helping Houston end a six-year playoff drought all stand as major milestones in a young career still in progress.
Nelson Quiñones Career Wins
Nelson Giovany Quiñónes Iturre has captured a major trophy at club level and earned individual recognition within Houston Dynamo’s squad. His most significant team achievement came with the 2023 U.S. Open Cup title.
Houston Dynamo Highlights
Quiñónes contributed directly to Houston Dynamo’s run to the 2023 U.S. Open Cup title, including the decisive penalty won in the final against Inter Miami. Across the 2023 MLS campaign, he recorded 4 goals and 2 assists in 28 regular-season appearances and added 1 assist in 5 playoff matches as the team reached the Western Conference Finals. His performance throughout the year was recognized when he was named Dynamo Young Player of the Year.
Other Wins and Performances
At international youth level, Quiñónes has represented the Colombia U23 setup, earning a call-up in 2024 before a knee injury cut short that chapter. His earlier years at Once Caldas gave him senior experience in the Colombian first division, including appearances in the Copa Colombia.
Nelson Quiñones Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Nelson Quiñónes’ immediate family is limited. He was born and raised in Tumaco, Colombia, where he developed his early passion for football before moving into the Once Caldas academy system.
Personal Life
Details about Quiñónes’ personal life outside of football have not been widely publicized. He is known professionally by his family name, Quiñónes, and continues to be recognized as a Colombian international-level footballer.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a return to action for Quiñónes following the knee injury he suffered in February 2024 while with the Colombia U23 team. After missing the entire 2024 campaign, his focus was on regaining match fitness and re-establishing himself within the Houston Dynamo squad.
Looking back over the broader arc of his career, Quiñónes’ 2025 role at Houston came on the heels of a 2023 season in which he recorded 4 goals and 2 assists in 28 regular-season appearances and helped the club reach the Western Conference Finals and win the U.S. Open Cup. The standard set during that campaign gave the club a clear benchmark for his contributions.
Heading forward, Quiñónes’ outlook remained tied to his recovery progress and his ability to reclaim a regular place in the Houston starting lineup. The winger’s pace, one-on-one skill, and set-piece threat continued to position him as a useful attacking option for the Dynamo.