Paintsil scores twice as lowly Galaxy whip Whitecaps 3-0
The Galaxy (2-13-6), the defending Major League Soccer Cup champion, won for the first time since it beat Real Salt Lake 2-0 on May 31 to snap a 16-game winless streak to open the season. The Galaxy went into the game with 13 points, fewest in all of MLS.
The Whitecaps (11-4-5) have lost three of their last four. Vancouver is second in the Western Conference with 38 points, one point behind first-place San Diego FC.
Edwin Cerrillo flicked a shot from 30 yards outs that was deflected by goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka and Nascimento put away the rebound with a first-touch finish to open the scoring in the second minute.
Paintsil made it 2-0 in the 60th. Gabriel Pec played an long arcing ball to the top of the penalty box, where Marco Reus tapped a first-touch pass to a wide-open Paintsil, who calmly flicked a shot inside the back post from the left side of the area.
Paintsil converted from the penalty spot in the 77th minute for his first career multi-goal game. The 27-year-old forward has three goals and one assist this season after he finished with 10 goals and 10 assists last season, his first in MLS.
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Takaoka had five saves for Vancouver. Jayden Nelson was shown a yellow card in the 55th minute and another in stoppage time as the Whitecaps played a man down for the final few minutes.
Novak Micovic had a save for L.A. The Galaxy had 55 per cent possession and outshot Vancouver 12-6, including 8-1 on target.
The Whitecaps beat the Galaxy 2-1 at home on March 2.
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