Recap: LA Galaxy Impress During Phase One of the 2025 Leagues Cup | OneFootball

There's something about scoring four times for the Los Angeles Galaxy when it's do or die mode in Cup tournaments. In March, the defending MLS Cup champions won 4-1 against Herediano in the Concacaf Champions Cup. It was the second leg of their match up as both teams were held scoreless in the first leg.

On Thursday, the LA Galaxy hosted Santos Laguna of the Mexican Liga BBVA MX. For the first time ever, Santos lost to the Galaxy.

In order to advance to the Knockout Phase of the 2025 Leagues Cup, the Los Angeles Galaxy not only needed to win but they had to do so by at least three goals. They had a 3-0 at halftime and never looked back.

Key Events During the LA Galaxy vs. Santos Match

Forward Joseph Paintsil wasted no time in helping the LA Galaxy move on from Phase One of the Leagues Cup. He scored in the game's first minute. Mauricio Cuevas was credited with the assist.

Then, in the 38' of the first half, Matheus Nascimento added the LA Galaxy's second goal of the game. The Brazilian's shot was from close range as Cuevas earned another assist on the evening.

Cuevas wasn't the only defender for the Galaxy to be involved in the offense. Their captain, Maya Yoshida, found the back of the net, too. His goal went in in the 45'+5' before halftime was called.

Two more events happened in favor of the LA Galaxy before the first half wrapped up. Choco Lozano and Ramiro Sordo of Santos were both issued red cards. That meant a pair of ejections occurred giving the Galaxy a two-man advantage in the second half.

While the 2024 MLS Cup winners didn't necessarily capitalize on it offensively, their defense held Santos scoreless. Despite the shutout, Novak Micovic did not record a save as none of Santos's four shot attempts were on target.

The Los Angeles Galaxy held possession for more than 72% of the game. They took 24 shot attempts and nearly half of them (11) were on target.

Nascimento added his second goal of the game to make it 4-0 in the 79th minute of play. Lucas Sanabria's pass led to the assist.

The LA Galaxy will now wait to see who they play in the Knockout Round of the Leagues Cup. Meanwhile, the six-time MLS Cup title holders will play the Seattle Sounders for the first time this season on Sunday, August 10. The last time these two teams played was in the MLS Western Conference Finals where the LA Galaxy won 1-0 to send them to their tenth finals appearance.