[MLS] The day before four of its players would be eligible for selection in Stage 2 of the Re-Entry Draft, the Dynamo signed two of its veterans to new contract.

Midfielder Corey Ashe, whose contract had expired, and defender Eddie Robinson, whose option for 2011 wasn’t picked up, have reached agreements to stay with the team. Contract terms weren’t disclosed. Their base salaries last year were $40,000 for Ashe, and $135,000 for Robinson.

Ashe, though he meets one of the benchmarks – four years of MLS service – to qualify for the Re-Entry Draft, fell a year short of the minimum age of 25. Robinson, 32, elected to negotiate a new contract rather than enter the Re-Entry Draft.

“My family and I are very happy to stay in Houston,” said Robinson, who moved with the team from San Jose prior to the 2006 season, said in a statement. “I’m looking forward to getting back to it, and I expect 2011 to be business as usual fighting for the Western Conference title.”

Robinson is seventh in club history in games played (131), games started (119) and minutes (10,541) in all competitions. He played on the MLS Cup-winning teams of 2006 and 2007; this past season, he played 19 league matches and 23 in all competitions.

Ashe, 24, has played 98 league games (one goal, 11 assists) for the Dynamo since the team selected him in the second round of the 2007 SuperDraft. In all competitions he’s played 133 games, scored four goals, and earned 17 assists. His 19 starts in 2010 was a career high.

“I’m very glad that we were able to reach a deal, because as I have said before, I didn’t want to go anywhere else,” said Ashe. “I enjoy the coaches, I enjoy the team and I enjoy the fans, so I’m looking forward to getting back on the field and hopefully helping Houston get back to the playoffs and win another championship.”

Four Houston players – goalie Pat Onstad, defender/midfielder Richard Mulrooney, defender Ryan Cochrane, and defender/midfielder Adrian Serioux – are eligible for Stage 2 of the Re-Entry Draft. The team lost attacker Joseph Ngwenya to D.C. United in Stage 1 last week.

Teams selecting players in Stage 2 must negotiate a contract subject to league approval. If all other teams in the draft pass on selecting them, Houston can re-claim their rights. If they aren’t selected, they can bargain with all teams on a first-come, first-served basis.