Contributed by Steven Torres
New York City FC (NYFC) and visiting Los Angeles FC (LAFC) played to a 1:1 draw in an MLS encounter on St. Patrick’s Day, before a crowd of 20,339, at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx on Sunday.
Both teams remaining unbeaten during the regular season as LAFC goes to 2-0-1, while NYCFC goes to 0-0-3.
A scoreless half hour of play saw LAFC with the best scoring chance when Mexican international forward Carlos Vela took a shot from just outside the 18-yard box in the 29th minute, that forced U.S. international goalkeeper Sean Johnson in making a one-handed save for NYCFC.
In the 39th minute, NYCFC’s first shot on target resulted in a goal as Romanian international midfielder Alexandru Mitrita scored his first tally with the club.
Four minutes later, Vela tied the game 1:1 for LAFC as his low shot beat netminder Johnson.
Finland international midfielder Alexander Ring gave NYCFC the 2:1 lead in 61st minute off an assist from U.S. international defender Ben Sweat.
Vela once again notched the equalizer, his second of the day, this time off a penalty kick in 75th minute-mark for 2:2 final score.
17.03.2018: Bronx, N.Y.; Yankee Stadium (A: 20339)
NEW YORK CITY FC – LOS ANGELES FC 1:1 (1:1)
Alexandru MITRITA 39’; Alexander RING 61’ – Carlos VELA 43’, 75’ pen
New York City FC: Sean Johnson – Anton Tinnerholm, Maxime Chantot, Alexander Callens, Ronald Matarrita (84: Jesus Medina), James Sands, Maximilliano Moralez, Alexander Ring, Ebenezer Ofori (49: Ben Sweat), Alexandru Mitrita, Valentin Castellanos (79: Jonathan Lewis). Booked: Sweat 56’, Callens 63’, Chantot 87’, Mitrita 89’, Sands 90’+
Coach: Domenec TORRENT
Los Angeles FC: Tyler Miller – Eddie Segura, Jordan Harvey, Walker Zimmerman, Danilo Silva, Mark-Anthony Kaye, Eduard Atuesta, Latif Blessing, Diego Rossi (72: Adrien Perez), Christian Ramirez (46: Adama Diomande), Carlos Vela. Booked: Rossi 40’, Vela 73’, Kaye 89’
Coach: Bob BRADLEY
R: Armando VILLARREAL
Written by Steven Torres