The LA Galaxy’s 2-2 draw with LAFC on Sunday night proved to be the performance and result that left a sour taste in the six-time MLS Cup Champions.
After going up 2-0, the LA Galaxy didn’t have the energy and personnel to close out the game, and LAFC found its way back to tie the match.
The Good: Paintsil Reawakens
With Robert Taylor, Marco Reus, and Joao Klauss getting the spotlight in recent weeks, Joseph Paintsil has become an afterthought.
And there’s a good reason for that. The Ghanaian winger last scored in August and has struggled to be the locked-in starter for the club. The lack of quality finishing and impact in possession made have held him back from being the feared winger he used to be.
“I feel really happy. As an offensive player, this is all you always pray for. And me having two goals in today’s game is just such a blessing for me. I just really thank God that I was able to score and make a draw for us at the end of the game,” said Paintsil.
You could see the two goals reinvigorated Paintsil as the game went on. He grew in confidence to take on LAFC defenders and kept finding pockets of space on the left side of the pitch to be direct and attack.
“His energy was great,” said head coach Greg Vanney.
“His ability to carry the ball and spin out of things and move and create new situations on the attack. He got into the back post on both occasions instead of hanging wide. He really got into the front of the goal, which is something we talked about and was happy for him.”
The Bad: Errors Kill the Galaxy
The Galaxy has been its worst enemy this season. On paper, this team has the talent to compete with any team across the league. Players who have had elite seasons in MLS, quality veterans, and players who have decent upside.
But that doesn’t matter if you keep shooting yourself in the foot.
Pablo Ruiz had become an essential part of the Galaxy midfield over the past few weeks. But a nonchalant pass in midfield led to LAFC getting possession in the Galaxy’s third.
Despite making multiple quality saves, J.T Marcinkowski’s parry off a shot from Armindo Sieb led straight to the feet of Bouanga is moment he wants back.
Then the attempted clearance from Emiro Garces for LAFC’s game-tying goal. The Colombian had been teetering on the line all game long.
He beat Bouanga to a loose ball as both headed toward Marcinkowski at full speed. Then an awkward clearance in his own box that LAFC scored on, which was later ruled offside.
It was Leo Walta who took advantage of the mistake from Garces. With no attacking options on the bench, the Galaxy couldn’t find its second wind to pin back LAFC and relieve the pressure on the backline.
Conceding cheap and mistake-driven goals is the most frustrating for any coach to see.
The Ugly: No Longer in Control
The worst part of blowing this lead is that LA needed this to be in control for its last two games. The Galaxy isn’t out of playoff contention, nor does it look like a long shot to make it, but it could’ve made life so much easier come Decision Day. Now that matchup on the road to Real Salt Lake looks like it could be a win-and-get-in type game.
“Our last game is against RSL, could prove to be a massive game in the end. We’ll see how the next week or so goes,” said Vanney about the draw with LAFC
“This isn’t an easy place to come and take three. It’s disappointing because we were in position to do so. But at the same time, now we just got to go home and get ourselves three at home. Be smart about it. Get ourselves three at home and then see what the last one looks like,” he added.
This could’ve been a statement victory. The Galaxy could show they're not solely reliant on its big names players and that the team is legitimately one that could cause some noise in November. There are confidence-building games and confidence-destroyers – LA’s performance at BMO was the latter.
“It’s a do or die situation for us. We have to win those two games. It’s a must for us. We don’t have any excuse. We have to give our heart and have everything to just be in the playoffs because when you are in the playoffs, it’s a whole different ball game,” said Paintsil.
The LA Galaxy playoff odds are a coin toss. The result of Sunday’s game could be the biggest What-If of the 2026 MLS season.