Paintsil scores twice as lowly Galaxy whip Whitecaps 3-0

By: The Associated Press Posted: 12:03 AM CDT Saturday, Jul. 5, 2025 Last Modified: 12:48 AM CDT Saturday, Jul. 5, 2025

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CARSON, Calif. (AP) — Joseph Paintsil had two goals, Matheus Nascimento also scored a goal and the Los Angeles Galaxy beat the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-0 on Friday night to snap a three-game winless streak.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 05/07/2025 (458 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Galaxy (2-13-6), the defending Major League Soccer Cup champion, won for the first time since it beat Real Salt Lake 2-0 on May 31 to snap a 16-game winless streak to open the season. The Galaxy went into the game with 13 points, fewest in all of MLS.

The Whitecaps (11-4-5) have lost three of their last four. Vancouver is second in the Western Conference with 38 points, one point behind first-place San Diego FC.

Los Angeles Galaxy forward Joseph Paintsil, left, and Vancouver Whitecaps forward Jayden Nelson vie for the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match Friday, July 4, 2025, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/William Liang)

Edwin Cerrillo flicked a shot from 30 yards outs that was deflected by goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka and Nascimento put away the rebound with a first-touch finish to open the scoring in the second minute.

Paintsil made it 2-0 in the 60th. Gabriel Pec played an long arcing ball to the top of the penalty box, where Marco Reus tapped a first-touch pass to a wide-open Paintsil, who calmly flicked a shot inside the back post from the left side of the area.

Paintsil converted from the penalty spot in the 77th minute for his first career multi-goal game. The 27-year-old forward has three goals and one assist this season after he finished with 10 goals and 10 assists last season, his first in MLS.

Takaoka had five saves for Vancouver. Jayden Nelson was shown a yellow card in the 55th minute and another in stoppage time as the Whitecaps played a man down for the final few minutes.

Novak Micovic had a save for L.A. The Galaxy had 55 per cent possession and outshot Vancouver 12-6, including 8-1 on target.

The Whitecaps beat the Galaxy 2-1 at home on March 2.

THROW-INS: Nelson Pierre and Jackson Castro both subbed on in the second half to make their MLS debuts. The duo became the sixth and seventh players from Whitecaps FC 2 to make their debuts this season. … Damir Kreilach played in his final MLS match for the Whitecaps before returning to Croatia. … The ‘Caps return to BC Place on Wednesday to host Valour FC in the second leg of the 2025 TELUS Canadian Championship quarterfinals.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer