LA Galaxy took down the reigning Major League Soccer champions.

The Western Conference side defeated NYCFC 1-0 at Dignity Health Center with a last minute goal from none other than Chicharito. 

The forward redeemed himself in the last few moments of the game after fading into the background in the first 65 minutes of the match. Chicharito managed to find a pocket of space on the left side of NYCFC’s box and worked through defenders to manipulate the shot perfectly into the back of the net. 

The first 45 minutes saw a high tempo match, with both sides fighting to reach their opponent’s half. The teams managed 26 shots overall, but neither could finish to kick off the scoring until the 90th minute. 

Beyond the goal, LA Galaxy saw immense potential in newest signing Douglas Costa. The Brazilian proved his worth, adjusting to the team’s playing style with ease while leading on the attack. 

NYCFC, on the other hand, failed to live up to their expectations as 2021 MLS Champions. Taty Castellanos looked lackluster on the attack, managing few threatening opportunities but failed to display his relentless nature.

Jonathan Bond (GK) – 6/10 – Not regularly tested, but did a sufficient job.

Julián Araujo (RB) – 7.5/10 – His aggressive ways on the defense could have landed him in trouble, but otherwise did well and showed potential in his passing. 

Séga Coulibaly (CB) – 4/10 – Did a decent job considering he suffered a knock during a preseason match days before kick off.

Nick DePuy (CB) – 5/10 – Did as expected.

Raheem Edwards (LB) – 7/10 – Tested NYCFC and Sean Johnson, but couldn’t properly finish to score.

Douglas Costa (RW) – /10 – Understood the rhythm of MLS on his debut, provided creative input on the attack as he pushed plays forward.

Marco Delgado (CM) – 7/10 – Expected more from the newest addition, but given the benefit of the doubt assuming he is still adjusting to the Western Conference team and their ways.

Rayan Raveloson (CM) – 6/10 – Attempted to immerse himself in the attack during the second half, managing a couple shots.

Kévin Cabral (LW) – 4/10 – Spent over 65 minutes on the pitch and went unnoticed.

Victor Vazquez (F) – 7/10 – Attempted to break through but found himself very heavily guarded when reaching NYCFC’s half, but did a decent job when finishing.

Chicharito (F) – 8.5/10 – The star forward managed very few influential touches in the first half but redeemed himself with a last minute goal.

Efrain Alvarez – 6/10 – Inserted himself at times but remains a young player with not enough experience as a starter.

Samuel Grandsir – 4/10 – Did as expected.

Sacha Kljestan – 4/10 – Not given enough time.

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Sean Johnson (GK) – 7/10 – Wasn’t tested regularly throughout the match, but stood his ground when LA Galaxy pushed forward, was not to blame during Chicharito’s goal.

Tayvon Gray (RB) – 7/10 – Made a crucial defensive tackle on Raheem Edwards to prevent a goal, and young enough to keep developing in the league.

Maxime Chanot (CB) – 7/10 – Failed to live up to his potential.

Alexander Callens (CB) – 8/10 – He contained Douglas Costa and maintained LA Galaxy at bay.

Malte Amundsen (LB) – 5/10 – Went undetected.

Santiago Rodríguez (RW) – 7/10 – Looked dangerous at times with a few shots deflected, but must be sharper to make any true impact on future matches.

Nicolás Acevedo (CM) – 7/10 – Maintained his ground when the Galaxy threatened on the offense, but could’ve been sharper.

Alfredo Morales (CM) – 6/10 – Worked defensively during the match, and could’ve have worked to push forward instead.

Maximiliano Moralez (CAM) – 7/10 – Immersed himself in the attack, but couldn’t find the necessary pockets of space to score or assist correctly.

Talles Magno (LW) – 6/10 – Managed a high energy and a couple offensive opportunities in the first half before slowly fading away as the game progressed.

Valentín Castellanos (F) – 7/10 – Had a few threatening moments in the first half but his energy was visibly different in the second 45, the Argentine failed to live up to his relentless nature.

Thiago Andrade – 5/10 – The energy of the match remained the same after entering, no real contributions made.

Keaton Parks – 5/10 – Failed to make any sort of impact on the rhythm or offense until the last few seconds of the game.

Andres Jasson – 5/10 – Did as expected.

Heber – 4/10 – Was not given enough time to make a change.