When the Houston Dynamo and LA Galaxy meet on Thursday night in their Group F finale at the MLS is Back Tournament (8 pm ET | FS1, TUDN in US; TSN in Canada), they'll have their Knockout Stage destiny in their own hands. New York City FC, meanwhile, will be looking on to watch their fate unfold.
The Dynamo can secure their spot in the last 16 with any victory. A draw would leave both Houston and LA shy on points of NYCFC — which currently holds the final Round of 16 berth that's on the line.
As for the Galaxy? They've got some work to do. A victory would take them even on points with NYCFC at three points each. However, the Cityzens enter the night with a modest minus-2 goal differential, well ahead of the Galaxy's calamitous minus-5.
Translation? LA has to win by three goals, which would then take them ahead of NYCFC on goals scored.
Think it's impossible? Stranger things have happened already. Just ask the Vancouver Whitecaps after their stunning 2-0, weather-delayed victory over Chicago Fire FC earlier Thursday.
