Galaxy Leave Panama Level After Gritty First-Leg Performance
LA Galaxy vs Sporting San Miguelito (Photo by @ CONCACAF)
Galaxy Earn Valuable Road Draw in Panama
The LA Galaxy opened their 2026 continental campaign with a hard-fought 1–1 draw against Sporting San Miguelito in the first leg of their Round of 32 matchup in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
Playing in a hostile road environment, the Galaxy showed resilience to come away with an important result heading back to Southern California.
Rodrigo Tello goal celebration (photo by @CONCACAF)
Hosts Strike First Before the Break
Sporting capitalized on home momentum late in the first half, breaking the deadlock in the 37th minute. A well-delivered cross found Rodrigo Tello unmarked at the back post, and his header slipped past the Galaxy goalkeeper to give the Panamanian side a 1–0 advantage heading into halftime.
The early lead energized the home crowd and forced the Galaxy to regroup during the interval.
Joseph Paintsil goal celebration (Photos by @CONCACAF)
Paintsil Delivers Crucial Equalizer
The Galaxy emerged sharper in the second half and were rewarded in the 68th minute. Joseph Paintsil finished off a fluid attacking move on the right flank, calmly slotting home the equalizer from close range.
The goal not only leveled the match at 1–1 but also handed LA a valuable away result in the two-leg series, shifting momentum ahead of the return fixture.
Jakob Glesnes (Photos by @concacaf)
Debuts and Defensive Composure
Several new signings made their competitive debuts for the Galaxy, adding fresh energy to the squad. Defensively, the visitors settled in after conceding and limited Sporting’s clear-cut chances for the remainder of the match.
Composure in possession and improved organization after halftime proved key in securing the draw.
LA Galaxy team photo (Photo by @CONCACAF)
All to Play for in Los Angeles
The tie now shifts to Dignity Health Sports Park, where the Galaxy will host the decisive second leg next week. With the aggregate score level, advancement to the Round of 16 will be determined on home soil.
For LA, the mission is clear: finish the job in front of their fans and take the next step in their pursuit of continental silverware.