NEW YORK – Sebastian Lletget is not yet back to his best, but he showed big signs of improvement in his first start since last March as the LA Galaxy fell in the Bronx on Sunday

Lletget went 77 minutes in the 2-1 defeat to New York City FC and was instrumental in helping set up Jonathan dos Santos’ goal in the second half. The 25-year-old midfielder’s start was his first for the Galaxy since March 18, 2017 after a lengthy injury layoff due to a Lisfranc fracture.

Like the rest of the Galaxy, the midfielder came out of the gates slowly as LA found themselves playing far too narrow on the small Yankee Stadium pitch. With Lletget and others tucking in centrally, New York caught the Galaxy in transition, making the team pay twice for turnovers to take a two-goal lead into the break.

Despite the slow start, Lletget showed flashes of brilliance.

In the first half, he nearly earned an assist when he turned his defender and dished a pass to Ola Kamara who was denied a goal by a superb stop by NYCFC goalkeeper Sean Johnson.

27' CLOSE from Ola Kamara off a beauty from Seb.



1-0 | #NYCvLA pic.twitter.com/QThcsEEaPB — LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) March 11, 2018

Lletget’s industry proved fruitful in the 60th minute as he was able to win the ball and get by a defender before finding Ema Boateng who sent in a cross to Dos Santos for the team’s only goal of the evening.

☑️ Lletget works to win it back

☑️ Ema cross

☑️ Jona FINISH#NYCvLA pic.twitter.com/OlIDGTwGrE — LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) March 11, 2018

Although Lletget tired later in the match, the midfielder showed during his stint against NYCFC that he will play a large role in Sigi Schmid’s attack this year.