Dynamo spoil Galaxy’s playoff chances with comeback win

Sunday was Decision Day across MLS as the final games of the regular season took place. The Houston Dynamo were on the road to play the LA Galaxy. The Dynamo were hoping to play spoiler to the Galaxy’s playoff hopes, LA needed a win to make it into the playoffs while Houston’s playoff hopes had already been dashed. Houston was able to do just that as they came back in the second half for a 2-3 victory.

The first half of the game was all Galaxy as they put increasing pressure on the Dynamo. Ola Kamara headed in LA’s fifth corner kick of the night for a 1-0 lead. The short corner and goal came in the 27th minute of the game. Minutes later Kamara scored again to double the lead. Ashley Cole got wide open and crossed the ball into Kamara who had no problem putting the ball into the back of the net for a 2-0 lead in the 30th minute.

The second half was a different story as Houston started the half on the stronger foot. Tomas Martinez got things going when he crossed the ball to Romell Quioto who was just outside of the box. Quioto worked the ball one way and then the other to get by two LA defenders before taking a shot that would send the ball just inside the post. The 57th minute goal would make things 2-1 with LA still holding a lead.

AJ DeLaGarza took a cleat to the side when Romain Alessandrini put his foot up for a high ball later in the half. Houston was awarded a penalty for the incident. David Bingham guessed low but went the wrong direction as the shot from Mauro Mantoas went past him low and to his right. The 73rd minute goal tied things up at 2-2.

Manotas scored again off a ball from Alberth Elis. After good interplay between Manotas and Elis, Elis crossed the ball perfectly into Manotas in front of goal and Manotas had noone in front of him to stop the ball from crossing the line. The goal gave Houston their first lead of the game 2-3 in the 80th minute.

Kevin Garcia knocked heads with Zlatan Ibrahimovic splitting open Garcia’s head. He was down on the field for a while before eventually walking off under his own power. The injury along with the goals lead to nine minutes of stoppage time after the full 90 was played.

During during stoppage time second half substitute Ronaldo Pena was issued his second yellow card of the game after slapping the neck of Jonathan dos Santos’ neck. His earlier card had come for time wasting. The Galaxy had several changes in stoppage time and even found the back of the net but thanks to an offside call the goal was disallowed.

Thanks to a strong second half Houston walked away with a 3-2 win and LA missed out on the post-season.

The game was the final game of the season for the Dynamo. While many teams of the league still have playoffs to think about the Dynamo can turn their sights on 2019.

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