MLS Day 2 at the Coachella Valley Invitational would see action from both Los Angeles clubs as they take on Eastern Conference opponents. LA Galaxy opened the morning against Chicago Fire, while LAFC held the noon spot against New York City FC. Fans can watch participating clubs on their YouTube pages. To attend live matches, visit the CVI website.
LA Galaxy – Chicago Fire
The LA Galaxy lost to the Chicago Fire 3-2. The Fire took an early 2-0 lead in the first half, which was too much for the Galaxy to recover. Gabriel Pec earned a hard-fought brace for the Galaxy, while the Fire had three separate goal scorers: the club’s 2025 Golden Boot winner Hugo Cuypers, 2025 team MVP Philip Zinckernagel, and Illinois native Chris Mueller recorded the game-winning goal. The Fire are now 3-0 in the preseason.
LA came out with the following 11: G Novak Mićović, D Miki Yamane, D Julián Aude, D Jakob Glesnes, D Emiro Garcés, M Justin Haak, M Marco Reus, M Elijah Wynder, F Joseph Paintsil, F João Klauss, F Gabriel Pec.
Chicago came out with the following 11: GK Brady, D Barroso, D Elliott, D Mbokazi, D Gutman, M D’Avilla, M Salétros, M Lod, F Zinckernagel, F Cuypers, F Haile-Selassie
LA Galaxy will make adjustments and prepare for their match with St. Louis CITY SC on Wednesday, Feb. 11. Chicago Fire will take on Austin FC earlier that same day.
LAFC – NYCFC
LAFC and NYCFC played to a 1-1 draw on Sunday afternoon. New York struck first with a goal from Nico Fernández Mercau, but their lead didn’t last long as LAFC’s Denis Bouanga leveled the match with a goal just minutes before the final whistle.
LAFC arrives in the Coachella Valley having made several additions to its roster that already boasted the likes of Denis Bouanga, Son Heung-min, and Hugo Lloris.
Back in December, the Black and Gold made keeping their star goalkeeper, Hugo Lloris, a priority, extending the Frenchman’s contract through 2026. The club then shifted focus to the midfield, adding Matt Evans (LAFC2), Mathieu Choinière (Grasshopper), Amin Boudri (GAIS), Ryan Raposo (new contract), and Stephen Eustáquio (loan from FC Porto). For their attack, they claimed Tyler Boyd off waivers and signed Jacob Shaffelburg from Nashville SC. The club hinted at a big signing announcement set for Feb. 10.
NYCFC’s offseason has focused on integrating young talent. The club signed homegrown players Cooper Flax and Kamran Acito, along with goalkeeper Mac Learned. The club signed midfielder Nicolás Fernández Mercau as a Designated Player and re-signed midfielder Andrés Perea. Lastly, veteran goalkeeper Matt Freese signed a contract extension.
NYCFC’s next test will be against Sporting KC on Wednesday, Feb. 11. LAFC has played its final match of the preseason after facing five opponents from Jan. 20 to now.
-Jon Jones
Photos: Anthony Reaves