LOS ANGELES — Toronto FC rookie Ifunanyachi Achara scored his second goal in as many pre-season games Wednesday in a 3-1 loss to Los Angeles FC.
Toronto took the Nigerian-born forward 25th overall in the first round of the 2020 MLS SuperDraft. He helped Georgetown win the NCAA title in 2019.
Achara's chip tied it up at 1-1 in the 51st minute at Banc of California Stadium. The rookie also scored in Toronto's 2-0 win over UC Irvine on Monday.
Brian Rodríguez scored for Los Angeles FC in the 20th minute with Carlos Vela providing the go-ahead goal in the 74th off a Latif Blessing feed. Christian Torres added an insurance goal in the 81st minute.
Los Angeles is preparing for its round-of-16 CONCACAF Champions League tie against Club Leon. The first leg goes Feb. 18 in Mexico.
Toronto started Alex Bono in goal with a backline of Richie Laryea, Laurent Ciman, Omar Gonzalez and Auro. The midfield consisted of Liam Fraser, Marky Delgado, Jonathan Osorio, Tsubasa Endoh and Jacob Shaffelburg with Jozy Altidore up front.
Coach Greg Vanney introduced Eriq Zavaleta, Justin Morrow, Noble Okello, Ayo Akinola, Patrick Mullins and Achara to start the second half.
Nick DeLeon, Griffin Dorsey, Rocco Romeo and Luca Petrasso also saw some second-half action.
Altidore captained the team in the first half with Morrow taking over the armband in the second half. New signing Pablo Piatti did not see action.
Canadian defender Dejan Jakovic started for LAFC.
Toronto defeated Colorado 4-0 in its opening pre-season game last Saturday.
TFC's next pre-season game is Saturday against the Los Angeles Galaxy at Dignity Health Sports Park. Toronto opens regular-season play Feb. 29 at the San Jose Earthquakes.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 12, 2020.
The Canadian Press