Marco Reus netted a pair of goals, including the game-tying score off a direct free kick in the 87th minute as the Los Angeles Galaxy earned a 2-2 tie with rival Los Angeles FC while remaining winless on the season.
Reus’ tying goal, over the LAFC wall from just outside of the penalty area, was just the third score the three-time player of the year in Germany has posted since joining the Galaxy last season.
Despite the point, the defending champion Galaxy (0-10-4, 4 points) still extended the worst start to a season in MLS history. The draw, behind two saves from John McCarthy, came two days after Galaxy head coach Greg Vanney received a three-year contract extension through 2028.
Denis Bouanga and Nathan Ordaz each scored goals for LAFC (6-4-4, 22 points), who saw their unbeaten streak extend to seven games. Hugo Lloris made two saves.
After the 25th edition of the El Trafico rivalry, the Galaxy continue to hold a slim advantage at 10-9-6.
Like they did in their eventual loss at Philadelphia on Wednesday, the Galaxy took an early 1-0 lead when Reus scored in the sixth minute off a rebound from a Lloris save on a shot by Gabriel Pec.
Pec, who has just one goal this season after leading the club with 16 last year, returned after missing two games because of a hip injury.
LAFC tied the score 1-1 in the 13th minute on a long-range shot from Bouanga off a pass from former Galaxy midfielder Mark Delgado, who received his championship ring in a private ceremony Friday.
LAFC moved in front 2-1 in the 50th minute when Los Angeles native Ordaz scored off a pass from Ryan Hollingshead that split two defenders and put his forward one-on-one with McCarthy.
Pec appeared to score the game-tying goal in the 78th minute but was ruled offside approximately 40 yards in front of the LAFC goal when he was sent a long-range pass from Reus.
–Field Level Media
