Dynamo bounced from MLS tournament in heartbreaking fashion

The Houston Dynamo were minutes away from advancing to the knockout stage of the MLS is Back Tournament, only to be undone by a 91st-minute penalty in their match against the LA Galaxy on Thursday.

Leading 1-0 for the bulk of the contest, Houston conceded a stoppage-time spot-kick - scored by Cristian Pavon - and were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw. With a win, the Dynamo would've reached the round of 16 as one of the tournament's best third-place teams, but instead, the draw allowed New York City FC - who last played Monday - to nab that spot.

The Galaxy head home after taking just a single point from their three matches in Orlando.

Houston were in control for much of the contest, taking the lead after a Darwin Quintero free-kick in the 17th minute caught Galaxy 'keeper David Bingham flat-footed.

It looked like that would be enough to see Tab Ramos' side move on, but the script was flipped in the waning minutes. Veteran defender Maynor Figueroa bundled Diedie Traore over inside the penalty area while trying to defend a corner kick, and the referee promptly pointed to the spot.

Pavon stepped up and cooly converted.

Tomas Martinez had the best chance to save the day for the Dynamo, but his weak effort in the 95th minute trickled wide of the post, and Houston's chances of advancing disappeared.

While both teams will now head home, the evening's biggest benefactors, NYCFC, look ahead to a round-of-16 clash with Toronto FC on Sunday.