Joseph Paintsil inspires LA Galaxy to MLS Championship triumph
By Lukman MUMIN, Accra
Joseph Paintsil scored in the final of the MLS Cup as Los Angeles Galaxy won their sixth title.
The Ghana international opened the scoring as LA Galaxy defeated the New York Red Bulls at the Dignity Health Sports Park in LA.
Paintsil, who joined the American club in February, played a pivotal role as the LA-based club won the MLS for the first time since 2014.
In an electric start to the game by the hosts, Paintsil fired home after nine minutes, finishing a defense-splitting pass from Gaston Brugman.
Five minutes later, Dejon Joveltic doubled the lead after racing through the middle into the box, before poking it past the New York Red Bull goalkeeper Carlos Coronel.
Halfway through the first half, Sean Nealis pulled one back for the visitors but it was not enough as LA Galaxy held on to win the title.
Paintsil’s compatriot Ronald Donkor replaced Peter Stroud in the second half for the New York Red Bulls.
In the final minute of the match, LA Galaxy coach Greg Vanney substituted Paintsil for Jalen Neal.
