LAFC Battles Back to Secure Draw Against San Diego FC
Ryan Hollingshead scored in the 14th minute of second-half stoppage time, helping Los Angeles FC rally from a late two-goal deficit to achieve a 2-2 tie with host San Diego FC on Saturday night.
Denis Bouanga found the net for Los Angeles FC (6-2-3, 21 points) in the 82nd minute, marking the team’s first shot on goal in the match.
Marcus Ingvartsen netted both goals for San Diego FC (3-5-3, 12 points), who ended a five-match losing streak but extended their MLS winless streak to eight games (0-5-3).
San Diego’s CJ dos Santos made three saves in his first match since suffering a serious facial injury in a postseason game against the Portland Timbers on November 1. However, dos Santos was shaken up with a head injury and a bloody nose in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time while making a close-range diving save against Bouanga’s left-footed shot. After receiving treatment on the field for several minutes, he was replaced by Duran Ferree.
As stoppage time neared its end, LAFC equalized off a corner kick. Mathieu Choiniere connected with the ball, directing it to Hollingshead, who sent a left-footed shot past Ferree.
Hugo Lloris did not make any saves for LAFC, who have a record of 1-2-2 in their last five MLS matches.
The last-minute comeback allowed LAFC to outshoot San Diego 10-7, with a 5-2 advantage in shots on target.
This tie marked the first point for LAFC in three encounters within the series, having lost both matches against San Diego during the latter’s expansion campaign last season.
San Diego took an early 1-0 lead in the seventh minute via a corner kick. Dreyer served the ball into the box, and a leaping Ingvartsen connected with his head, causing the ball to glance off LAFC defender Eddie Segura and into the net.
San Diego extended their lead in the 71st minute when Dreyer passed to Ingvartsen, who struck a right-footed shot into the lower left corner.
LAFC’s fortunes changed when Bouanga received a pass from Son Heung-Min. Despite facing a tough angle near the goal line, Bouanga successfully struck a left-footed shot past dos Santos, narrowing the deficit to one goal.
Tyler Boyd had an opportunity to equalize in the 87th minute, but his left-footed shot was denied by dos Santos. In the 90th minute, dos Santos again prevented Bouanga from scoring with a save on his right-footed attempt.