KISSIMMEE, FL – The Houston Dynamo thought they had it made, but a late goal by the LA Galaxy eliminated them from the MLS is Back Tournament with a 1-1 draw in Disney World.
The ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex was yet again the site of another stunning result when LA’s Cristian Pavon put in a penalty kick to end the Dynamo’s tournament run this year.
The Dynamo needed a win to advance to the Knockout round with a (0-1-2 and 2 points) record for the contests. Instead, idle New York City FC (1-4-0, 3 points overall; 1-2-0, 3 points in the tournament) punched their ticket on the strength of a favorable call against the Dynamo in the 90th minute.
The Galaxy (0-3-2, 2 points overall; 0-2-1, 1 point in the tournament) were also eliminated from the event.
The Orange Crush did manage to start the match off with a goal early on a free kick by Darwin Quintero.
Quintero unleashed a shot over a wall of defenders and past flat-footed goalkeeper David Bingham. The goal was Quintero’s 22nd of his MLS career and first since being traded from Minnesota United in November.
Pavan had a chance to answer 4 minutes later on a free kick, but Dynamo goalkeeper Marko Magic handled the shot with a two handed grab.
The Dynamo had a chance to score again in first half stoppage time, but Bingham had no trouble handling Memo Rodrigues’ effort.
This was the Galaxy’s second match without the much anticipated Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez who is out with a calf strain sustained during training last week.
