Diego Fagundez’s wonderful free-kick earned the 10-man LA Galaxy a much-needed point at home to the Houston Dynamo on Sunday, but their winless streak rolls on.

Houston opened the scoring early on when a flowing move was finished off at close range by Ezequiel Ponce.

Things got worse for the Galaxy after 28 minutes as they were reduced to 10 men, Zanka receiving a straight red card after cynically bringing down Ponce on the edge of the penalty area, with the Argentinian clear through on goal.

Despite Houston dominating the remainder of the game, generating 1.30 xG compared to the Galaxy’s 0.40, the visitors were unable to extend their advantage. Ponce was in the thick of the action, attempting six shots (the most of any Houston player in a game this season), including a second-half header against the woodwork. 

And in the 57th minute, Fagundez made them pay, whipping a sensational free-kick from 30 yards out beyond the outstretched fingertips of Blake Gillingham to draw the Galaxy level.

However, LA's search for a first win of the season continues, as they remain bottom of the Western Conference after eight games.

The Galaxy's city rivals Los Angeles FC had a better time of it as they beat the San Jose Earthquakes 2-1, thanks to a stunning Sergi Palencia strike, followed up by a simple Denis Bouanga finish.

After LAFC failed to register a shot on target in the first half, Palencia sparked the game into life, slamming home a sweetly struck half-volley from the edge of the area in the 65th minute.

Then, with four minutes remaining, LAFC capitalised on some calamitous San Jose build up, as Timothy Tillman nicked the ball back in midfield and teed up Olivier Giroud.

The Frenchman’s effort was saved only as far as Bouanga, who rolled into an empty net from an angle to secure LA’s fourth win of the season and move them into sixth place in the Western Conference.

Cristian Espinoza grabbed a late consolation for the Earthquakes, but it was too little too late. 

Data Debrief: Hollywood strugglers

The Galaxy have now failed to score in the first half of five of their opening eight MLS games this season, scoring just six in total. They attempted just five shots against Houston, their lowest total in a match so far this season. 

Their current winless streak is their joint longest in MLS, since they went eight without winning between October 2022 and April 2023. 

LAFC, though, made it four straight wins over San Jose in all competitions, having won only three of their previous 11 meetings with the 'Quakes.