CARSON, Calif. (AP) 鈥� Nicol谩s Fern谩ndez scored on a penalty kick in the second half and New York City FC tied the Los Angeles Galaxy 1-1 in a season opener on Sunday before a sellout crowd of 30,510 at Dignity Health Sports Park.
Newcomer Jo茫o to win the hearts of Galaxy fans, scoring with assists from Marco Reus and Joseph Paintsil for a 1-0 lead. LA worked a cash-for-player trade with St. Louis City to acquire Klauss on a 1-year deal, hoping he’ll ease the loss of superstar Riqui Puig for a second straight season after complications from a torn ACL.
Los Angeles maintained the lead until Emiro Garces was sent off the field for a second yellow card, setting up a successful PK for Fern谩ndez that tied it in the 66th minute and left the Galaxy a man short. Fern谩ndez scored five goals in 19 appearances with L.A. last season.
Novak Micovic did not have a save in his 25th career start for the Galaxy 鈥� 20 of them coming last season when the 24-year-old allowed 37 goals.
Matt Freese, the reigning goalkeeper of the year, saved six shots for NYCFC 鈥� four in the first half. Freese had eight clean sheets in 31 starts last season on his way to the award.
NYCFC is coming off a loss to eventual MLS Cup champion Inter Miami in the Eastern Conference Final last season.
The Galaxy are hoping to rebound from a disastrous season that saw them endure a league-record 16-match winless streak 鈥� one year after beating the New York Red Bulls to win the MLS Cup.
Up next
Los Angeles: Hosts Charlotte FC on Saturday.
NYCFC: At Philadelphia Union on Sunday.
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