LA Galaxy Snap Winless Streak With 1-0 Victory Over San Jose
LA Galaxy secured a hard-fought 1-0 win against San Jose Earthquakes, ending a six-game drought thanks to Joseph Paintsil's 79th-minute strike.
LA Galaxy snapped a six-match winless streak on Wednesday night, securing a gritty 1-0 victory against the San Jose Earthquakes in Carson, California. Joseph Paintsil delivered the decisive moment in the 79th minute, handing the hosts their first win since defeating the Sounders in mid-May.
The victory was particularly notable given the circumstances. LA Galaxy played with only 10 men for the entire second half after Lucas Sanabria received two yellow cards within a nine-minute span just before the interval. Despite the disadvantage, the team maintained a disciplined defensive shape that frustrated the visitors.
JT Marcinkowski played a pivotal role in the clean sheet, recording five saves throughout the match. This marked his third shutout in 16 starts this season, effectively neutralizing the Earthquakes' attempts to capitalize on their numerical superiority.
Paintsil’s game-winning goal was the product of a sharp counter-attacking sequence involving Harbor Miller and Marco Reus. The strike was Paintsil’s fifth of the campaign, while Miller notched his second assist and Reus extended his team-leading assist tally to seven.
The match also marked a milestone for Hirving “Chucky” Lozano, who made his first home start for the Galaxy. His presence on the field provided a glimpse of the expanded offensive depth the club is building as they look to climb the standings.
For San Jose, the focus now shifts toward upcoming fixtures and individual matchups. Timo Werner, who has tallied two assists in his three appearances since joining the club last month, looked ahead to a reunion with a former German national teammate. “I have known Thomas for a long time, and he is a great person,” Werner said regarding the prospect of facing Thomas Müller. “We have shared many good moments as teammates and many fierce duels as opponents, so this will be a special moment.”
