Paintsil Scores 2 Goals, Nascimento Adds 1 Goal, Galaxy Beat Whitecaps 3-0

Joseph Paintsil had two goals, Matheus Nascimento also scored a goal, and the LA Galaxy beat the Vancouver Whitecaps 3–0 on Friday night to snap a three-game winless streak.

LA (2–13–6), the defending MLS 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, the 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, behind San Diego (39).

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Edwin Cerrillo flicked a shot from 30 yards out 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 a 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 LA. The Galaxy had 55 percent possession and outshot Vancouver 12–6, 8–1 on target. The Whitecaps beat the Galaxy 2–1 at home on March 2.