LA Galaxy draw with St. Louis City in first match since 'Chicharito' injury

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Nicholas Gioacchini flicks in a stunning goal for St. Louis CITY SC

Nicholas Gioacchini somehow gets a foot to the ball and lifts it over the keeper for a great opening goal for St. Louis CITY SC.

Updated: Oct 12, 2023, 05:51 am

The LA Galaxy struck late to emerge with a 1-1 draw and salvage a point in the standings in their first-ever meeting against host St. Louis City SC on Sunday.

Daniel Aguirre scored for the Galaxy, who were playing their first game since Javier Hernandez was ruled out for the season after tearing his ACL, in the 85th minute after a slick centering pass from Douglas Costa. The goal countered a St. Louis City score in the 68th minute on a sideways flick from Niko Gioacchini.

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With the tie, the Galaxy (3-9-4, 13 points) have now earned points in consecutive games for the first time since three consecutive tied games from March 11-25.

St. Louis City (9-5-2, 29 points) have one goal in their past two games (0-1-1) after scoring 10 goals in their previous three, all of which were victories.

Los Angeles' Calegari had a pair of chances early to get his team on the scoreboard. In the third minute, he took the ball just past midfield and brought it inside the box, but his attempt rolled wide left. Five minutes later, he drove down the right side but his shot was stopped by goalkeeper Sgt. Louis City Roman Burki.

LA Galaxy players celebrate after a draw with St. Louis in MLS.
LA Galaxy players celebrate after a draw with St. Louis in MLS.
USA Today Images

St. Louis picked up the tempo as the half progressed but couldn't break through for a goal. In the 12th minute, midfielder Jared Stroud missed when he tried to connect with a teammate inside the box and moments later, he tried a volley from the penalty area only to see the ball go wide right.

Indiana Vassilev had a chance to get the home side on the board in the 39th minute off a corner when he took a short pass along the side and sent it inside for a header, but the shot went wide.

Gioacchini struck with an impressive finish to give City a 1-0 lead. Vassilev sent a cross to Gioacchini streaking towards the goal area and the forward took connected with his left foot to send the ball into the top corner of the net.

St. Louis nearly doubled its lead four minutes later. Vassilev drove up the field, maintaining possession to get to the spot before sending a shot on target that was saved by Galaxy goalkeeper Jonathan Bond.

Aguirre brough the Galaxy even in the 85th minute as Los Angeles earned a victory at Real Salt Lake and Sunday's tie on the road over the past two games.

Burki made four saves for St. Louis City, while Bond made five for the Galaxy.