Marco Urena scores again in LAFC preseason friendly

2018 preseason - Marco Urena - LAFC

LAFC posted a draw for the second consecutive preseason game, with a 1-1 tie against New York City FC on Friday afternoon at the expansion team's training camp at UCLA.


Marco Urena scored the goal for LAFC, taking a pass from Latif Blessing in the 16th minute. Alexander Ring equalized for NYCFC in the 56th minute.

Through the first two games Urena has three goals for his new team. He's also the only LAFC player to have scored in preseason action so far.


LAFC head coach Bob Bradley was asked about Urena's role, and he offered praise for the Costa Rican international.


"Marco's job is a striker, and a striker's job is to score goals," Bradley told reporters following the friendly. "There's also more to the job -- can you, in the right moments, come away from defenders, can you make the right passes? But he's been a threat in the box, and today Latif did very well in terms of getting a ball on the move and making the right choice to Marco, so it's a good goal."


So far in the preseason, LAFC have been using a 4-3-3 formation, and Friday's match was the first preseason game action for Designated PlayerCarlos Vela. Bradley explained that he's looking for the attacking corps overall to provide versatility on offense, and highlighted the growing chemistry between Vela and the team's other Designated Player, Uruguayan teenager Diego Rossi.


"[Vela and Rossi] are players that I think already you can see they like to play with each other," he said. "Their understanding is growing all the time. They're both versatile attackers so they can play from different roles, so that part is going in a good way."


LAFC's next preseason game is scheduled for February 18 against Vancouver Whitecaps FC.