Galaxy retain top spot in west with win over Timbers

CARSON, Calif. — The Galaxy find ways to win at Dignity Health Sports Park and Saturday night’s 3-2 victory over the Portland Timbers was no different.

The result keeps the Galaxy in first place in the West (14-5-7, 49 pts) and extends the LA’s home unbeaten streak with the club’s lone home loss occurring against LAFC on July 4, at the Rose Bowl Stadium. 

While the Galaxy have had success at home, coach Greg Vanney said he sees room for improvement, pointing out these last two victories as examples.

”For the quality of good chances we created and how, in a way, soft, the goals are that we gave up, that’s the issue,” Vanney said. “In the League sometimes you can get away with that, but in a knockout tournament? 

"You can’t do that. Whether it’s MLS Cup or Leagues Cup.”

Speaking of Leagues Cup, the Galaxy will enter the tournament atop the Western Conference with eight MLS regular-season matches remaining upon the conclusion of the newest summer tournament.

”Every point helps you down the stretch, you never know in Leagues Cup too with what can happen with teams, it can be anywhere from two to five or six games,” Vanney said.

Against the Timbers, each of the Killa P’s, the nickname for the Galaxy’s trio of Designated Players, found themselves on the score sheet, with Gabriel Pec finding the back of the net first.

Riqui Puig threaded the needle to find Joseph Paintsil on the wing, who dished it to a sprinting Pec coming down the middle, to put the Galaxy ahead before halftime.

It didn’t take long for LA to double its lead, three minutes into the second half, Puig snuck his shot past the Portland backline to make it 2-0. 

The Timbers would not go down without a fight as Jonathan "Cabecita" Rodriguez would score to cut the Galaxy’s lead to 2-1.

Not too long afterward, Paintsil became the third member of the Killa P’s to score and put the hosts ahead, 3-1.

Paintsil has spent the last week playing in the striker role in the absence of Dejan Joveljic who has been sidelined with a hamstring injury.

”This is not my first time playing in that position,” said Paintsil, highlighting his previous stint with Genk in Belgium. “I just need to do whatever I need to do in whatever position I’m being used to help my team.

"That is the most important thing, It doesn’t matter if I play on the right, on the left or as the striker, what I need to do is give my all.” 

Portland’s Santiago Moreno scored a screamer, a much deserved reward after being one of the most active players throughout the match, to make it 3-2.

The Galaxy gained a crucial three points before the break, something Diego Fagundez is proud of, but he said he sees where the club can improve.

”We can score goals, now we just have to be a little bit better so we don’t shoot out selves in the foot.” Fagundez said. “Some games we could go up three goals and it would be a lot easier and we don’t have to really stress but I guess we like that little danger part.

"We just need to take that away. But I think it’s huge going into first place at the end when we have eight games left.”

Next, the Galaxy will begin Leagues Cup play with the Cali Clasico against the San Jose Earthquakes on July 31. They will then face Liga MX club Chivas Guadalajara, led by Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez, on Aug. 4.