CARSON, Calif. — Mark Delgado scored the winning goal against his former team with a long-range rocket in the 52nd minute as the Los Angeles Galaxy beat Toronto FC 2-1 at Dignity Health Sports Park.
Efrain Alvarez scored his fourth goal of pre-season on Saturday night, with Riqui Puig assisting on both goals.
Ayo Akinola scored a consolation goal for Toronto in the 89th minute.
Alvarez opened the scoring in the 27th minute after receiving a pass from Puig on the right side of the penalty area from Toronto. Alvarez dribbled past three Toronto defenders to the left side of the box before firing a low shot that went wide of goalkeeper Sean Johnson’s outstretched foot and into the far corner of the goal.
Delgado then sealed the deal, hammering home a shot from more than 25 yards.
The Galaxy, led by former TFC coach Greg Vanney, included three former Toronto players in the starting XI in Delgado, Chris Mavinga and Raheem Edwards.
“We’re in a good position,” Vanney said after the game. “We are not yet a perfect machine, that is still a work in progress. But nobody will be there on day 1. So it keeps growing and building and continuing the process. But we are where we want to be and the boys are looking forward to the start of the season. Seven weeks is preseason.”
Losing three of their four games at the Coachella Invitational, Toronto were beaten 3-0 by the Vancouver Whitecaps and 2-1 by LAFC, and then drew 2-2 with the Portland Timbers before Saturday’s setback.
Toronto opens the regular season at DC United on Saturday, while Galaxy, who finished the preseason with a 3-3-1 record, take on rivals LAFC in the Rose Bowl.
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This report from The Canadian Press was first published on February 19, 2023
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Source: nationalpost.com
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