Diego Fagundez scored the tying goal while Los Angeles was a man down and the struggling Galaxy salvaged a 1-1 tie against the Houston Dynamo on Saturday night at Carson, Calif.
The Galaxy (0-5-3, 3 points) remain winless after winning last season’s MLS Cup. Los Angeles has been outscored 15-6 this season.
Ezequiel Ponce scored one goal and narrowly missed another for the Dynamo (1-4-3, 6 points), who are also struggling. Houston has been outscored 12-6.
John McCarthy made two saves for the Galaxy while Houston counterpart Blake Gillingham had one stop.
The Dynamo held a 12-6 edge in shots. Houston put three on target, while Los Angeles managed two.
The Galaxy didn’t look short-handed with a few of their second-half runs but only Fagundez could find the back of the net.
The 30-year-old struck for his first goal of this season and 74th of his MLS career in the 57th minute.
That’s when Fagundez got the Galaxy even when he took a free kick and his right-footed shot landed in the top right corner of the net.
Ponce almost had the brace four minutes later, but his header caromed off the left goalpost.
Ponce also sent a header left of the net in the 89th minute.
Houston’s Jack McGlynn sent a left-footed shot over the net during the first minute of second-half stoppage time.
The Dynamo received a corner kick just prior to the end of the match but elected to play it short and they didn’t get a shot off.
As soon as the Galaxy gained possession, time was called.
Houston took the lead in the 14th minute when Ponce sent a close-range left-footer into the net.
In the 28th minute, the Galaxy sustained a blow when Zanka was called for the red card that left Los Angeles short-handed.
The ensuing free kick by Amine Bassi was sent just high over the net.
The Galaxy continue to play without star midfielder Riqui Puig, who tore an ACL in his knee late last season.
–Field Level Media
