Dynamo’s run ends in draw against Galaxy
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Cristian Pavon’s penalty kick in second-half stoppage time helped the LA Galaxy salvage a 1-1 draw and prevent the Houston Dynamo from advancing to the knockout stage in the MLS is Back tournament on Thursday,
The Dynamo had led since Darwin Quintero’s goal in the 17th minute but surrendered it after Maynor Figueroa fouled Diedie Traore in the penalty area. Pavon then drilled his penalty kick into the right side of the net after Houston goalkeeper Marko Maric went left.
Pavon’s third goal of the season eliminated the Dynamo
and allowed New York City FC to take the final wildcard spot in the round of 16. The Dynamo had two chances to regain the lead, but Ronaldo Pena’s header just in front of the goal was high and Tomas Martinez’s shot in the box went was wide right.
Houston went 0-1-2 in the tournament. It opened Group F play with a 2-2 draw against LAFC before a 2-1 loss to Portland. The Galaxy finished 0-2-1 after losses to Portland (2-1) and LAFC (6-2).
Quintero put Houston in the early lead with a free kick from outside the box. The kick caught Galaxy goalkeeper David Bingham flatfooted and sailed over his head into the net.
Maric had five saves to Bingham’s three.
Both teams are still in search of their first win this season. Houston has three draws in five games and LA is 0-3-2.
WHITECAPS 2, FIRE 0
Yordy Reyna and Cristian Dajome scored six minutes apart in the second half, third-string goalkeeper Thomas Hasal had a clean sheet in his first Major League Soccer start and Vancouver advanced to the MLS is Back Tournament’s knockout stage with a victory over Chicago.
The Whitecaps have clinched one of the four wild card spots and will play Sporting Kansas City in the round of 16.
Chicago also had three points in Group B but has been eliminated on goal differential.
The Whitecaps’ goals were similar as Vancouver split Chicago’s defense and found goalkeeper Kenneth Kronholm out of position. Reyna’s first score of the season, which came in the 65th minute, happened shortly after the game resumed following a 93-minute rain delay.
Dajome put home his second of the year in the 71st minute with a shot between Kronholm’s legs.
Hasal made four saves but the 21-year old also got some lucky breaks.
LAFC 2, TIMBERS 2
Jeremy Ebobisse scored in the 81st minute, and Portland tied Los Angeles FC.
Jaroslaw Niezgoda scored in the seventh minute to put the Timbers on the board, but LAFC scored twice in the latter part of the first half to go ahead. Bradley WrightPhillips’ goal tied the match at 1-1 in the 36th minute, while Mark-Anthony Kaye put LAFC ahead in the 40th minute.
Both teams advanced to the knockout stage. Portland (2-0-1), which won Group F, will face FC Cincinnati, while LAFC (1-0-2) will take on Seattle Sounders FC.