A late PK for Galaxy, eliminates Dynamo and LAG from MLS Is Back Tournamnet
The Houston Dynamo and the LA Galaxy played their last match on the group stage in a win or go home match for both teams. Houston just needed to win to advance. However, the Galaxy needed to win by three goals to be in the knockout rounds.
Even though the scenario was clear for both teams, they neutralize each other well and ended up in a 1-1 draw after LA scored via a PK in stoppage time to finish this tournament in last place of the group and eliminating the Dynamo from the knockout round.
Courtesy of Houston Dynamo
During the first half, Houston Dynamo was team that went up in the scoreboard early as Darwin “El Cientifico del Gol” Quintero’s free kick beat Galaxy’s goalkeeper David Bingham at the 17’. The Golazo by the Colombian international marked his first goal with his new club. This goal took both teams by surprise because after that, there were not many chances neither team in offense. The leading goal made the Orange to position themselves better in defense and try to manage the tempo of the match.
The Californian side created some chances to get the equalizer, however, they were not accurate in the last touch. It was a relatively easy first half for Dynamo’s goalkeeper Marko Maric, whose saves were keeping his side with not just the lead but also with the spot in the next round.
The second forty-five minutes started with a similar rhythm as the first one. Houston was not able to hold on the ball for too long and the Galaxy was imprecise in their last third. The Orange had some chances to double the lead. However, the offensive side was very predictable, making things easy for the Californian defense.
As minutes passed, the Galaxy started looking more and more dangerous in offense and closer to the equalizer. Houston coach Tab Ramos took too log to made substitutions and his side looked tired and without the control of the match. On the other side, LAG substitutions switched things around for them. They looked faster and eager to look for the at least for the tie.
Cristian Pavon, who is the main guy for the Galaxy (after Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernadez left the tournament with an injury), found the final 1-1 via a PK after Maynor Figueroa fouled Diedie Traore inside the box in stoppage time, in a controversial play.
Courtesy of LA Galaxy
With the final score, both teams are eliminated from the tournament and seal a very disappointment performance in the return of MLS after the league paused because the Covid-19 outbreak back in March.
Now, both teams will return home and analyze their performance and start preparing for what it is next in this 2020.
