Cruz Azul Tops LA Galaxy 2-1 in Friendly; Paintsil Scores on Return

First-half goals from Luka Romero and Agustín Palavecino lifted Cruz Azul past the LA Galaxy 2-1 in Sunday's friendly; Joseph Paintsil scored late on his return from injury.

Cruz Azul defeated the LA Galaxy 2-1 in an international friendly on Sunday, October 4, 2026, at Dignity Health Sports Park in the Los Angeles area. The Liga MX visitors scored twice before halftime, and a largely pro-Cruz Azul crowd watched them protect that lead.

Luka Romero put Cruz Azul in front and Agustín Palavecino added the second, with both goals following Galaxy giveaways in midfield. Palavecino's strike came from roughly 35 yards and caught goalkeeper Novak Mićović off guard. The Mexican side carried the two-goal advantage into the break.

Cruz Azul's lead stood until the 84th minute, when Joseph Paintsil pulled one back for the Galaxy. Paintsil, a designated player, was making his return from injury. The goal was set up by Troy Elgersma, a young attacker who started the match and stood out all night, regularly finding space and escaping tight spots. After breaking free on the right wing, Elgersma played Paintsil in stride, and the winger still had plenty to do, working past three defenders before finishing.

Coach Greg Vanney described the defeat as a productive exercise rather than a setback. "For me it was a good night. A night to take inventory of the group and get guys ready to move forward," Vanney said afterward. He also confirmed that every player came through the match without injury.

The slow start had a familiar look. The Galaxy had also conceded twice early in their previous MLS outing against Colorado last week, though they recovered to win that game. No such comeback came on Sunday despite a second-half push, and Vanney said he was not overly concerned by the goals conceded in an exhibition, pointing to how strongly his team finished.

Vanney saved his warmest words for Elgersma, a Ventura County product. "Troy. I mean, he's boundless energy," the coach said. "He had a really nice tool set. So now, it's working with him to continue to build on moments." On Paintsil, Vanney said getting him going again was good for the winger's confidence and stood out as the positive of the night.

Apart from Paintsil's finish, the Galaxy lacked sharpness in the attacking third. Chances came in transition and after regaining possession in promising areas, with striker Kyōgo Furuhashi among those who threatened, but Los Angeles could not produce the decisive pass or score again.

Attention now shifts back to MLS, where the Galaxy face an in-form St. Louis City SC side next week. The friendly served as a tune-up for the final six matches of the campaign, and Los Angeles will need to be more clinical once points are on the line. A win would make it three consecutive victories for Vanney's team and would put their playoff hopes largely under their own control.