On Friday night, the LA Galaxy defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-0, breaking a three-game losing streak. The match, held at Dignity Health Sports Park, saw Joseph Paintsil score two goals and Matheus Nascimento contribute another for the Galaxy. This win marks the Galaxy's first since May 31, when they beat Real Salt Lake 2-0, which ended a 16-game winless streak to start the season.
The Galaxy, the defending MLS Cup champions, entered the game with the fewest points in the entire MLS, with only 13. Meanwhile, the Whitecaps have now lost three of their last four games. Vancouver remains second in the Western Conference with 38 points, trailing behind San Diego who has 39.
Matheus Nascimento opened the scoring in the second minute of the match. Edwin Cerrillo's shot from 30 yards out was deflected by Whitecaps goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka, and Nascimento capitalized on the rebound with a quick finish. Paintsil extended the Galaxy's lead to 2-0 in the 60th minute. Gabriel Pec delivered a long, arcing ball into the penalty box, where Marco Reus provided a first-touch pass to Paintsil, who calmly placed his shot inside the back post from the left side of the area. Paintsil then converted a penalty in the 77th minute, securing his first career multi-goal game.
Paintsil, a 27-year-old forward, now has three goals and one assist this season, following a successful first season in MLS where he recorded 10 goals and 10 assists. Takaoka, the Whitecaps' goalkeeper, made five saves during the game. Jayden Nelson of the Whitecaps received a yellow card in the 55th minute and a second in stoppage time, leading to his dismissal and leaving Vancouver with ten men for the final minutes of the match. Novak Micovic recorded a save for the LA Galaxy.
The Galaxy demonstrated strong control throughout the match, maintaining 55% possession and outshooting Vancouver 12-6, with an 8-1 advantage in shots on target. Earlier in the season, the Whitecaps defeated the Galaxy 2-1 at home on March 2.
The Galaxy's win coincided with their annual Fourth of July game at Dignity Health Sports Park, which included a postgame fireworks show. The match marked the 38th meeting between the Galaxy and Whitecaps, with the Galaxy leading the all-time series 17-13-7. At home against Vancouver, the Galaxy hold an 11-4-3 record.
