FRESNO. Calif. – Fresno FC and the LA Galaxy II played to a 1-1 draw in front of a crowd of 6,128 fans at Chukchansi Park on Saturday night as Alex Cooper scored the second-half equalizer for the Foxes. The Galaxy II took the lead in the third minute when Emmanuel Appiah flicked home a header from a corner kick by Los Dos’ Julian Büscher, but the visitors were reduced to 10 men when Justin Dhillon was sent off for a strong challenge on Zach Hayden-Ellis. The Foxes ramped up the pressure in the second half, and Renato Bustamante was denied by Galaxy II goalkeeper Wade Hamilton with a good save in the 67th minute. The equalizer arrived with 15 minutes to go, however, as Alex Cooper fired home from the left side of the penalty area. Pedro Ribiero tried to find a winner for the hosts late, shooting wide of the right post, but the Galaxy II held on to earn a point to frustrate the Foxes.

Scoring:
3’ – LA – Emmanuel Appiah (Julian Buscher)
75’ – FRS – Alex Cooper

• #FRSvLA: Full Match and Opta Box Score

Three Things That Matter:

• 1. Playing up a man for more than two-thirds of the game it was no surprise that the Foxes dominated most facets of the game, but it took an inspired pass and finish to break down a resolute Galaxy II defense to get the side back into the game with 15 minutes to go. A perfectly flighted pass from the center circle by Juan Pablo Caffa opened the chance for Alex Cooper to capitalize with a good low finish. The pass made the play, though, with Caffa’s touch on the ball providing the game’s pivotal moment.

• 2. The Foxes regularly looked to apply pressure down the flanks but weren’t quite clinical enough with their deliveries or finishing to produce the desired result. Fresno recorded 47 crosses over the game, but connected on only nine of them as the timing and angles of delivery into the penalty area didn’t find the mark consistently enough to earn a victory.

• 3. The Galaxy II were forced onto their heels for much of the game after Justin Dhillon’s red card midway through the first half, and for that reason will be pleased to have come away with their first point of the season. The side still has questions to answer in attack, however, as even with the Foxes pressing late for a winner the visitors weren’t able to offer much of any threat on the counterattack, instead settling to bunker in for the draw.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Jean Engola, LA Galaxy II – Engola recorded 10 clearances at the center of the Los Dos defense to earn his side a point on the road.

Upcoming Games:

Fresno FC at Seattle Sounders FC 2 – March 28, 10 p.m. ET, Cheney Stadium

LA Galaxy II vs. San Antonio FC – March 31, 6:30 p.m. ET, StubHub Center Track & Field Stadium