LA Galaxy started the 2025 Leagues Cup in style. Playing at home at Dignity Health Sports Park, the defending MLS Cup champions rolled past Tijuana with a 5-2 win. They took advantage of the gaps in the Mexican side’s defense and relied on big performances from Gabriel Pec, Matheus Nascimento and Joseph Paintsil to get the job done.
Goals, VAR and speed on the wings
Barely 15 minutes in, Mauricio Cuevas set the tone. He slowed down the play, pulled the ball back and forced a mistake from Alán Vega, who ended up handling the ball inside the box. VAR confirmed the call, and Nascimento stepped up to calmly slot home his third goal of the season. Tijuana answered right away. Sixteen-year-old Gilberto Mora struck from the edge of the box and found the corner to make it 1-1.
Galaxy didn’t let up. Paintsil had a chance to put them back in front from the penalty spot, but Antonio Rodríguez guessed right and saved it. The pressure, though, only grew, and it was Pec who broke through. The Brazilian cut inside and smashed a left-footed strike that flew in. Minutes later, he scored again on the break, but the goal didn’t stand because Paintsil was offside. The first half closed at 2-1, with Galaxy sharper going forward but still leaving space at the back.
When talent took over
Right after the restart, Mora struck again. Another long-range effort, another perfect finish, and it was 2-2. For a moment, it felt like Tijuana could make a game of it. That hope didn’t last. Nascimento slipped a pass to Paintsil, who made it 3-2, then the Ghanaian turned provider for Marco Reus to add a fourth. In stoppage time, Paintsil bagged his second of the night to wrap up the 5-2 victory.