Nicolas Fernandez scored on a penalty kick in the 66th minute as New York City rallied for a physical 1-1 draw with the host Los Angeles Galaxy in the season opener for both teams on Sunday night.

Playing a 12th straight season opener on the road, NYCFC (0-0-1, 1 point) avoided getting blanked for the fourth time in five season openers by overcoming an early defensive breakdown that led to an early goal.

Fernandez scored in a contest that saw the teams combine for 31 fouls and five yellow cards. He also nearly struck again in the second minute of stoppage time but hooked a shot from the middle of the box to the left.

The most pivotal yellow card was handed out in the 64th when Emiro Garces was sent off following a foul on Fernandez. Garces’ second yellow card resulted in the Galaxy (0-0-1, 1 point) playing with 10 men the rest of the contest.

Fernandez capitalized on the miscue by ripping a shot that caromed off goalie Novak Micovic’s right hand and to the right side of the net for his fourth career MLS goal.

Fernandez equalized after NYCFC had the better chances for most of the contest but could not get a shot on target after Joao Klauss scored two minutes into his LA debut.

The Galaxy quickly moved towards the New York net and moved the ball around. Paintsill sent the ball to Marco Reus near the end line.

Reus drew New York defender Kai Trewin to him but quickly passed the ball to Klauss in the center of the box. Left open by two defenders, Klauss lifted a left-footed shot from the middle of the box to the lower right side of the net before Freese could react.

New York goalie Matt Freese stopped six shots, including a diving stop on Gabriel Pec late in the first half. He also denied Joseph Paintsil’s header try in the 90th.

–Field Level Media