By Victor Araiza
The Los Angeles Galaxy secured their place in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup with a 2-1 win over Orlando City in the Third Place Match of the 2025 Leagues Cup on Sunday at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.
Marco Reus put LA Galaxy ahead in the 9th minute, finishing from the center of the penalty area after a quick transition. Gabriel Pec provided the assist, advancing the play off a service from Miki Yamane.
Adrián Marín was denied by the right post in the 32nd minute as Orlando City pressed for an equalizer throughout the first half. Iván Angulo headed the rebound but failed to keep it on target.
Luis Muriel stripped Edwin Cerrillo of possession and fired from the middle of the field, but Galaxy goalkeeper Novak Mićović was equal to the effort.
Martín Ojeda brought Orlando level in the 60th minute, combining inside the box with Muriel and Angulo before finishing past Mićović.
Joseph Paintsil restored LA Galaxy’s lead in the 67th minute with a right-footed strike from outside the box, capitalizing on a turnover forced from Orlando’s César Araújo.
Paintsil nearly doubled his tally in the 82nd minute but was denied by the crossbar, with Pedro Gallese alert to block the rebound attempt from Miki Yamane and keep the deficit at one.
Mićović made the decisive stop on Orlando’s final chance five minutes into second-half stoppage time, denying Alex Freeman’s effort off a corner kick to preserve the 2-1 win.
REACTIONS
- LA Galaxy midfielder Diego Fagúndez:
- “We wanted to make sure that we got a spot in Concacaf, and everybody showed up. That was the main part. We wanted to win. We know it wasn't our best season this year, but at the end of the day, when you win these games, they're important.”
PLAYER OF THE GAME
- LA Galaxy's Joseph Paintsil scored the game-winning goal in the 67th minute with a great shot from outside the box.
GAME NOTES
- LA Galaxy secures its best finish in the Leagues Cup with Third Place honors
- The California side secured its 12th Concacaf Champions Cup appearance
- Joseph Paintsil struck his fourth goal of Leagues Cup 2025 and finishes as one of the tournament’s top scorers
- Orlando City also departs with its best Leagues Cup campaign finishing in Fourth Place
- Martín Ojeda also struck his fourth goal, leaving the 2025 edition with seven goals created (leads all players)
CARDS/INJURY REPORT
- Yellow Cards:
- LA Galaxy: Gabriel Pec
- Orlando City: Eduard Atuesta
LOOKING AHEAD
- LA Galaxy returns to MLS play next Saturday when it visits Houston Dynamo seeking to start a surge up the Western Conference standings and make a valiant attempt to avoid a last place finish.
- Orlando City will rest during the FIFA international break and continue its MLS Cup Playoffs chase on September 13 against D.C. United.
