LAFC Goals: 30'
New York City Football Club Goals: Talles Magno (p) 32'
New York City Football Club's third preseason game of 2023 saw the Boys in Blue play out a 1-1 draw with LAFC.
The clash, contested in Los Angeles, proved another useful test for Nick Cushing's side, as preparations stepped up ahead of the new season.
The Head Coach named a strong starting XI of First Team stars, while several Academy and NYCFC II representatives were handed the chance to savor more senior experience throughout the encounter.
LAFC dominated the early possession, pressing high and threatening on the counter-attack, but it was NYCFC who carved the game's first chance with Thiago Andrade forcing the hosts' 'keeper into a save.
Talles Magno also fired wide of the left-hand post, while Luis Barraza was called into action at the other end - alert to prevent a cross-shot from creeping in.
Barraza then did well to tip a powerful effort onto the crossbar, but the rebound fell kindly for LAFC to open the scoring from close range on the half-hour.
NYCFC responded superbly, winning a penalty within minutes, when Matías Pellegrini was upended. Talles Magno stepped up to coolly send the 'keeper the wrong way and level the score.
Thiago Andrade almost turned the game on its head on the stroke of half-time, latching onto Kevin O'Toole's floated long-ball, but was again denied by the LA shot-stopper.
Goalkeeper Matt Freese was introduced at the break for his first NYCFC appearance, and recorded his first save a matter of minutes in with a comfortable stop.
City's new recruit then had to face an LAFC penalty and guessed the right way, only for the hosts' man to skew his effort wide of the target anyway.
The second half proved a quieter affair in terms of goalmouth action. Both sides enjoyed spells of possession, awaiting the right moment to strike, with Maxime Chanot and Justin Haak on hand to thwart any home threat for the Boys in Blue.
Cushing's side almost grabbed a late winner when Johnny Denis looked to tap home Jonathan Jimenez's cross, and would have found the net but for a last-ditch LA challenge.
It would be the closest either side came to snatching victory, and the game ended all square on another positive outing.
NYCFC XI: Barraza; Gray, Martins, Chanot, O'Toole; Morales, Parks, Carrizo; Pellegrini, Magno, Andrade.
NYCFC will kick off the 2023 MLS season on Feb. 25 when we visit Nashville SC at GEODIS Park (4:30 pm ET | MLS Season Pass).
