Ghana’s Joseph Paintsil scored the goal that gave the LA Galaxy of the United States a valuable 1-1 draw against Sporting San Miguelito of Panama in the first leg of the first round of the CONCACAF Champions Cup on Thursday.
Paintsil, scorer of ten goals in 2025, scored the equalizer for LA Galaxy in the 68th minute of play with a powerful right-footed shot from the center of the box assisted by João Klauss from the right side of the field.
LA Galaxy are surprised
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The Panamanian team was the first to take the lead with a superb header by captain Rodrigo Tello in the 36th minute from Jeslan Caicedo’s cross.
Prior to this goal, Sporting’s most dangerous arrival came in the 25th minute with a deflected shot by Caicedo that went wide of goalkeeper Marcinkoeski.
Up to that point, the LA Galaxy had repeatedly challenged Calderón, who made a spectacular double save on two consecutive shots by Joseph Paintsil and Gabriel Pec.
The Americans had about six missed chances in the first half, against a Sporting team that played in an orderly fashion and on the counterattack.
This is Sporting’s second tie against a North American opponent in this competition.
In their only previous experience against a club from the region, in the 2013/14 group stage, they lost to América of Mexico 1-0 in the first leg and 3-0 in the second leg.
Sporting returns to Concacaf after a decade
Sporting reached the tournament for the second time in its history.
Its first participation was in the 2013/14 edition.
On this occasion, they sealed their ticket through the Concacaf Central American Cup 2025 Play-In.
In this instance, they left the also Panamanian CD Plaza Amador on the road.
For the LA Galaxy, meanwhile, this is their twelfth appearance in the Champions Cup, which they reached after winning the third-place match of the Leagues Cup 2025.
Thursday’s match marked the first official meeting between the Panamanian team and the Los Angeles club.
In the second leg, the LA Galaxy will host Sporting San Miguelito at Dignity Health Sports Park on Wednesday, February 25 at 11:30 p.m. (Panama time).
The winner of this bracket will advance to the round of 16 to face Jamaica’s Mount Pleasant FA, ranked No. 66.
Technical data
Sporting SM: José Calderón; Jeslan Caicedo, Marlon Ávila, Omar Alba, Sergio Ramírez; Ángel Valencia (Moisés Richards, m.70); Héctor Hurtado, Rodrigo Tello, Joel Barría (Armando Coper, m.64); Ángel James (Julio Betancurt, m.64) and Gustavo Herrera (Ángel Orellier, m.87).
Coach: César Aguilar.
1. LA Galaxy: J. Marcinkoeski; Maya Yoshida, Jakob Giesnes (Emiro Garcés, 67), Maruicio Cuevas, John Nelson; Edwin Cerrillo, Gabriel Pec, Matheus Nascimento (Joao Klaus, 58), Justin Haak (Lucas Sanabria, 59), Christian Ramírez (Marco Reus, 58); Joseph Paintsil (Harbor Miller, 76).
Coach: Greg Vanney.
Goals: 1-0, minute 37: Rodrigo Tello. 1-1, m.68: Joseph Paintsil.
Referee: Nelson Salgado (Honduras). Yellow cards for Marlon Ávila and Julio Betancourt for offensive fouls.
Incidents: First leg of the first round of the CONCACAF Champions Cup, held at the Estadio Universitario in Penonomé, Coclé.
With information from EFE
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