Ghanaian winger Joseph Paintsil hits a brace to claim an emphatic victory for LA Galaxy over Club Tijuana in Leagues Cup
1st August 2025
CARSON, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 30: Joseph Paintsil #28 of Los Angeles Galaxy reacts during a play in the second half against the Seattle Sounders in the Western Conference Final match at Dignity Health Sports Park on November 30, 2024 in Carson, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Ghana international Joseph Paintsil delivered a stellar performance to inspire LA Galaxy to a commanding 5-2 victory over Club Tijuana in the Leagues Cup on Friday morning at the Dignity Health Sports Park.
The Black Stars winger was a standout figure, playing the full duration of the match, scoring twice and providing an assist as Galaxy opened their Leagues Cup campaign in emphatic fashion.
The home side got off to a flying start, taking the lead in the 17th minute through Matheus Nascimento, but Gilberto Mora quickly responded for Tijuana with an equaliser four minutes later.
Galaxy regained the advantage in the 29th minute, thanks to Brazilian forward Gabriel Pec, and went into halftime 2-1 up. Mora again pulled Tijuana level in the 59th minute with his second of the game.
But the second half belonged to Paintsil, who restored Galaxy's lead with a composed finish in the 65th minute. Marcos Reus added a fourth shortly after, before Paintsil sealed the win with a stoppage-time goal—his second of the game.
The former KRC Genk winger had the chance to claim a hat-trick but missed a penalty earlier in the match. Nonetheless, his overall performance was pivotal as LA Galaxy cruised past their Mexican opponents in a high-octane affair.
Paintsil has been in fine form since returning from injury, with four goals and one assist in 17 MLS games, and now one goal in the Leagues Cup, further cementing his importance to the Galaxy attack.