New York City FC began the 2026 Major League Soccer season with a 1-1 draw against the LA Galaxy at Dignity Health Sports Park on Sunday.
The Galaxy took the lead just 85 seconds into the game with a goal from newly-signed striker João Klauss, but NYCFC settled in and dominated possession. Still, the lack of a true No 9 left New York City's attack lifeless.
But a game-changing decision helped NYCFC leave California with a point, as Galaxy defender Emiro Garcés gave away a penalty and received his second yellow, leaving the home team with 10 players for more than 30 minutes of regulation and stoppage time. Nico Fernández Mercau stepped up to convert the penalty, swinging the momentum in New York City's favor, but the squad wasn't able to find the game-winning goal despite being up a player.
New York City: 1.3 xG, 10 shots, 1 shot on target, 61.5% possession, 638 passes, 87% pass accuracy, 16 fouls, 2 corners, 5 saves
LA Galaxy: 0.5 xG, 8 shots, 6 shots on target, 38.5% possession, 365 passes, 78.1% pass accuracy, 15 fouls, 1 corner, 0 saves
Goals:
• LA Galaxy, João Klauss, 2'
• New York City, Nico Fernández Mercau 66'
Attendance: 25,025
NYCFC recovers after poor start
Given NYCFC's poor record in season openers, it was no surprise that it went down 1-0 less than two minutes into Sunday's game.
The goal came from some good Galaxy buildup play: Joseph Paintsil found Marco Reus in the box. The German spun and backheeled it to João Klauss, who hit it first time past Matt Freese and into the back of the net.
João Klauss gives LA Galaxy the lead | Courtesy MLS and Apple TV
It felt like the Galaxy could build on their lead, making it another season opener to forget for New York City. But the visitors settled into the game and dominated possession, controlling the tempo of the game. But a squad that lacked a striker didn't place a single shot on target from open play.
As NYCFC continued to struggle breaking down the Galaxy's backline, the team got a break in the 63rd minute, when Nico was taken down by Garcés in the box. The defender was sent off after receiving his second yellow card, and New York City was given a penalty.
Alonso Martínez is the team's go-to penalty taker, but with the striker sidelined at least through the summer as he recovers from surgery, Nico stepped up and calmly slotted it past goalkeeper Novak Mićović for NYCFC's first goal of 2026.
Nico Fernández Mercau makes it 1-1 from the spot | Courtesy MLS
Up a man with more than 30 minutes left to play, New York City had momentum on their side, and a solid chance to grab the club's first opening-day win since 2018. But that elusive second goal didn't come, as NYCFC drew with the Galaxy for the first-ever time in eight meetings between the sides.
Kai Trewin makes his NYCFC debut
Defender and midfielder Kai Trewin, New York City's only significant signing this offseason, made his debut for the club on Sunday. The Australian had a solid game: He completed 89 percent of his passes (59/66), played eight passes into the final third, had four recoveries, and totaled one interception.
"I really enjoyed my debut, getting to play here in the first game of the season in front of a packed-out stadium was pretty awesome," he said. "The speed and the plays here are really high, and it was definitely a step up for me, but I felt like I raised to the level and I really enjoyed the game."
Trewin can also play center back, but on Sunday, he started in midfield alongside fellow countryman Aiden O'Neill.
"It's definitely helped me knowing Aiden before I came here, and he's been looking after me a lot since I got here, which has been good," he said. "I really enjoyed playing alongside him. I've played with him a few times before, but never next to him in midfield, and I really enjoyed today. I felt like we were able to connect quite well and help the team get back into the game after our slow start."
With Andrés Perea's injury keeping him off the field, and Keaton Parks still easing back to full fitness, it's likely Trewin will get more time in the midfield to begin this season.
Mark Radigan
Mark Radigan
Talles Magno, Keaton Parks return
It wasn't just Trewin who had a special milestone on Sunday night. Two well-known NYCFC players — Talles Magno and Parks — made their respective returns for the club.
Parks came on for O'Neill in the 74th minute and immediately brought intensity. Making his first league appearance since May 31, 2025, Parks had two big chances in his brief-but-impactful cameo: He put a close-range header wide and thought he drew a penalty late in stoppage time, but VAR had other ideas.
Talles Magno, making his first MLS appearance since July 7, 2024, came off the bench in the 88th minute but didn't have enough time to make an impact. Although the duo didn't play much on Sunday, the two, when fully healthy, are expected to bring a spark to a New York City side missing some key players.
In addition, Drew Baiera made his MLS debut for the club when the 18-year-old came on in the 80th minute for Tayvon Gray. Baiera featured once for the First Team last year in the US Open Cup, but the Homegrown is expected to see more playing time in 2026 after right-back Mitja Ilenič left on loan to Raków Częstochowa in Poland.
NYCFC will next travel to Subaru Park in Chester, PA, to face the Philadelphia Union on Sunday afternoon.
• LA Galaxy, Emiro Garcés, yellow card, foul 36′
• NYCFC, Tayvon Gray, yellow card, foul 42'
• NYCFC, Kai Trewin, yellow card, foul 56'
• LA Galaxy, Julián Aude, yellow card, foul 59'
• LA Galaxy, Emiro Garcés, second yellow card, foul 65'
• NYCFC, Keaton Parks, yellow card, foul 86'
Officials
• Referee: Victor Rivas
• Assistant referees: Jeffrey Greeson, Felisha Mariscal
• Fourth official: Servando Berna
• VAR: Edvin Jurisevic
• Assistant VAR: Robert Schaap
