CARSON, Calif. – Sigi Schmid’s LA Galaxy notched their first win of the 2018 preseason on Saturday with a 3-0 victory over New York City FC.
Ola Kamara opened his account for the Galaxy with his tally inside the first 10 minutes of the contest, while fellow newcomer Tomas Hilliard-Arce doubled the home side’s lead with a tally in the 70th minute. Baggio Husidic added a third goal in stoppage time to round out the win.
New York City played down a man for 49 minutes following Ronald Matarrita’s red card ejection for a tackle on Romain Alessandrini.
The Galaxy attack dictated the tempo from the start of the match, putting the visitors on the back foot from the get-go. Los Angeles found their goal in the ninth minute when Alessandrini launched a rocket from beyond 20 yards that rattled the goal frame. The rebound then found Kamara who leapt up and smashed a volley into the back of the NYCFC net.
New York City's best opportunity came in the 34th minute when Maximilliano Moralez fired a free kick that forced a diving stop from Galaxy goalkeeper David Bingham
In the second half, Schmid opted for a full lineup change, removing his complete starting squad. In the second stanza, New York started to find some rhythm, but the Galaxy nearly doubled their lead in the 59th minute when tidy build-up play by Sebastian Lletget and Ethan Zubak ended with the midfielder firing his shot into the hands of the ‘keeper Brad Stuver.
Los Angeles added to their lead in the 70th minute when Baggio Husidic launched a cross that found the head of the rookie Hilliard-Arce who nodded into the back of the net. The goal was the first for the Galaxy’s No. 2 overall selection in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft.
Baggio Husidic capped off a fine performance with a stoppage time goal after NYCFC 'keeper Andre Rawls could only parry Alex Mendez's shot into the midfielder's path.
The Galaxy return to action next Thursday when they face Fresno FC at Santa Barbara’s Harder Stadium.
