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NYCFC Closes Coachella Valley Invitational with Draw to LA Galaxy

February 14, 2024 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
New York City FC News Release


New York City FC rounded out their set of fixtures at the Coachella Valley Invitational on Wednesday as they took on LA Galaxy.

The Boys in Blue came into the game off the back of back-to-back ties against San Jose Earthquakes and Portland Timbers.

Eager to finish out with a win, Nick Cushing made several changes to the starting XI, including a switch at goalkeeper to give Luis Barraza the start.

City settled into an early rhythm in possession and subsequently took the lead in the 12th minute.

The goal came in unique circumstances after a well-timed clearance from Thiago Martins bounced into the Galaxy box - Mounsef Bakrar pouncing on the loose ball to head it past the goalkeeper.

One became two nine minutes later after some effective pressing in the Galaxy half turned the ball over to Bakrar for his second of the afternoon.

NYCFC continued to control the game with possession and they almost made it three as the first half drew to a close.

This time it was Hannes Wolf who danced through the Galaxy defence with a well-executed stepover before firing a right-footed shot that Jonathan Bond did well to parry.

Cushing once again opted to make several changes after halftime as he looked to hand the entire traveling roster minutes.

The second period saw Barraza in action early on as he prevented Christian McFarlane from conceding an own goal with some quick reflexes.

At the other end, two of the substitutes almost combined when Talles Magno slid a smart through ball looking for Alonso Martinez - the Costa Rican only narrowly missing the pass.

The Galaxy were now playing with more confidence, resulting in a goal in the 53rd minute - Miguel Berry pouncing on a loose ball in the box to side-foot it home.

An equalizer was not far away for the Galaxy and came three minutes after their opener. This time a freekick proved NYCFC's undoing as a freekick into the box rebounded out and Harbor Miller converted the loose ball.

As the half wore on Cushing opted to give more opportunities to the younger members of the traveling roster. Jonathan Shore and Jacob Arroyave replacing James Sands and Wolf.

Andres Jasson produced one of the better chances of the second half in the 75th minute. His half volley from just inside the area forced John McCarthy into a good save as he tipped it over.

His teammate Mitja Ilenič was the next player to come close after a sidewinding half volley from 30 yards out almost made its way past McCarthy.

More fresh legs entered the contest for City as Maximo Carrizo replaced Christian McFarlane. That would prove to be NYCFC's last notable chance as the game finished 2-2.

NYCFC XI: Bakrar, Barraza, Fernandez, Gray, Martins, O'Toole, Parks, Risa, Rodriguez, Sands, Wolf

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