Can the Houston Dynamo play spoiler a third time against the L.A. Galaxy?

The Houston Dynamo and the L.A. Galaxy battle for the third time on Decision Day with a lot on the line for the visiting team. In the previous two meetings, Houston has played the spoiler for Los Angeles. Will the battle at PNC Stadium on Sunday have the same result?

The last time they met on Decision Day in 2019, the Dynamo won 4-2 costing the Galaxy a postseason playoff berth. They scored 3 goals in the final 30 minutes of play capped off by a brace from Christian Ramirez and a 90+4 stoppage time goal by Memo Rodriguez.

The 2019 Decision Day game must have felt like deja vu to the Galaxy as Houston had scored three goals in the final 30 minutes of play in 2018's Decision Day match. That 3-2 home loss cost the L.A. side a home postseason game.

Now we fast forward to 2022 and the stakes on Decision Day are just as high for the Galaxy. They need three points to secure a home playoff game. In their last five road matches dating back to August 28, L.A, has two wins and two draw and a loss. In their most recent road contest they held on for a 3-2 win at San Jose.

It's never easy coming to Houston to play but with the home team playing for some respect and jobs for next year under their interim head coach Kenny Bundy it won't get any easier. Bundy was not part of the equation when Houston downed L.A. 3-0 at their place, but he is now and that could make all the difference.

If history is on the side of Houston, the Galaxy will once again rue what they must do to beat the Dynamo on Decision Day.