Leo Walta's Stunning Free Kick Not Enough as LAFC and NYCFC Draw 1-1 at Citi Field

LAFC were one swing away from stealing it. In the third minute of stoppage time, Armindo Sieb sprung Son Heung-Min on a fast break, and the LAFC star hit a right-footed shot from the right side of the box. It smacked the left post. The rebound fell to Sergio Vásquez, who dragged his shot wide, and that was the night at Citi Field.

LAFC and New York City FC drew 1-1 on Saturday, a result that leaves both clubs feeling like they let something slip. Leo Walta's sensational free kick in first-half stoppage time put the visitors ahead, Andrés Perea headed New York level in the 59th minute, and the hosts spent most of the second half pushing for a winner that never came. According to New York City FC, LAFC could have clinched a playoff place with a win and some help elsewhere. Instead, they had to settle for a road point and a long flight home.

Walta Breaks the Seal

The first half was cagey. New York had more of the ball, but both teams seemed more focused on not conceding than on creating. LAFC had the better early look when Denis Bouanga sent a left-footed shot over the bar from a Walta cross in the 16th minute. Hannes Wolf was booked in the 28th, and Luighi had a shot blocked in the 38th.

Then, right before the break, the match finally got its moment. Aiden O'Neill was booked in the 44th minute for fouling Son, and both clubs said the resulting free kick was about 30 yards from goal. Walta, the 22-year-old Finnish international, stepped up in first-half stoppage time and bent a right-footed shot into the top right corner beyond Matt Freese.

According to LAFC, it was Walta's first goal for the club since joining in late August, in only his third appearance and second start. The club also said it was LAFC's first goal from a set piece since a May 17 loss at Nashville. Walta nearly added another from a free kick out on the right a few minutes later, but Freese got across to save it at the top right corner.

New York Wake Up

Whatever was said at halftime in the home locker room, it worked. Agustín Ojeda had a long-range shot blocked and Luighi headed wide in the 52nd minute, and Tayvon Gray forced Hugo Lloris into a sharp save a minute later after a quick exchange with O'Neill.

The equalizer arrived in the 59th minute. Nicolás Fernández Mercau swung in a corner, and Perea rose from the right side of the six-yard box to power a header into the roof of the net. Lloris had no chance.

From there, New York kept coming. Wolf, Talles Magno and Perea all had shots blocked between the 69th and 72nd minutes, three of them created by Fernández Mercau, and Gray fired over after a corner. Talles Magno, on as a 68th-minute substitute, missed narrowly in the 84th and dragged another wide in the 87th.

LAFC were dangerous on the counter late. Freese stopped a long-range Son strike in the 80th minute, Mark Delgado and Sieb both missed by a whisker moments later, and Lloris had to deny Fernández Mercau in the second minute of stoppage time. Then came Son's shot off the post, which would have been a cruel winner for a New York side that controlled the second half.

Walta, Perea and the Supporting Cast

Leo Walta was the most dangerous player on the field for LAFC, with three shots, two on target and the goal. Not bad for a player still learning his teammates' names.

Andrés Perea scored New York's equalizer on two shots, and Nicolás Fernández Mercau was the hosts' chief creator, delivering the assist and setting up several more looks. Talles Magno gave New York a jolt off the bench with three shots, though none of them hit the target.

Son Heung-Min drew the foul that led to the opener and came within inches of the winner. Both goalkeepers, Lloris and Freese, made two saves apiece.

The Turning Point

New York's response at the start of the second half shifted the momentum. LAFC went into the break with a lead and a clear plan to protect it. Within 14 minutes of the restart, New York had forced a save from Lloris and found the equalizer, and LAFC spent the rest of the half absorbing pressure and hoping to land a counterpunch.

Stats That Matter

• Possession: New York held 65.6 percent of the ball.
• Shots: New York outshot LAFC 13-9, but each side put just three on target.
• Corners: New York had 10 corners to LAFC's four, and one produced the equalizer.
• Passing: New York completed 632 of 701 passes; LAFC completed 299 of 368.
• Defending: LAFC made 28 clearances and 12 interceptions.

What It Means

LAFC move to 12-10-9 (wins, draws, losses) with 46 points. The club said it remains sixth in the Western Conference, two points behind San Jose in fourth, the last spot that brings home-field advantage in Round One. LAFC are unbeaten in three under interim head coach Xavi Tamarit, per the club, with a win and two draws. MLS was less charitable, suggesting LAFC are still searching for an identity under Tamarit with time running short. Next up is a home date with the LA Galaxy on Oct. 25, another chance to clinch.

New York City FC move to 8-10-12 with 34 points. This was the third game of a busy week, according to the club, and the first home match in just under a month. It snapped a two-game losing streak after defeats at Chicago and Miami, and MLS listed NYCFC as one of the teams still in the mix for the East's final playoff spot. The club said this was only the fifth competitive meeting between the two sides. New York visit Orlando City next.

The Closing Take

At a baseball stadium, this one ended like a walk-off fly ball that dies on the warning track. Son had the swing. The post had other ideas. Both teams leave with a point, and neither looks thrilled about it.

Stats from ESPN's match data. Additional details from New York City FC, LAFC and MLSsoccer.com.