Joseph Paintsil completes first hat trick of MLS career ahead of team’s quest to lift 2025 Campeones Cup on Wednesday, October 1
LOS ANGELES (Saturday, September 27, 2025) – On Saturday night, the LA Galaxy defeated Sporting Kansas City 4-1 with an early attack and a first-time MLS career hat trick from forward Joseph Paintsil. Paintsil became the third player in LA Galaxy history to produce a first half hat trick, joining Robbie Keane (May 26, 2013) and Alejandro Moreno (May 19, 2004).
LA Galaxy Against Sporting Kansas City: Saturday’s match was the 83rd meeting across all competitions between the LA Galaxy and Sporting Kansas City (74th in regular season play), with LA leading the all-time series 34-31-18. Against Sporting Kansas City, the Galaxy hold a 29-27-18 record in league play and a 5-3-1 record in the MLS Cup Playoffs. In the now 36 all-time regular season matches played at Dignity Health Sports Park against Kansas City, LA holds an 19-8-9 record. Prior to tonight’s match, the last meeting between the two sides came on May 4, 2025, when Sporting earned a 1-0 home win at Children’s Mercy Park.
Goal-Scoring Plays
LA – Joseph Paintsil (Mauricio Cuevas, Diego Fagundez), 4th minute: After a quick cross from Mauricio Cuevas, Joseph Paintsil got one past the goalkeeper with a right footed shot from the left side of the box.
LA – Joseph Paintsil, 25th minute: Harbor Miller crossed the ball into the six-yard box where Joseph Paintsil met it, after deflections, and took a first-time shot into the back of the net.
SKC – Dejan Joveljić (Mason Toye), 28th minute: After a quick pass up field from Mason Toye, Dejan Joveljić hit a shot from the center of the box to the bottom right corner of the goal.
LA – Joseph Paintsil (Mauricio Cuevas, Gabriel Pec), 33rd minute: Gabriel Pec played a ball through the back line on the right flank to Mauricio Cuevas who crossed the ball in front of a streaking Joseph Paintsil. Paintsil took a right foot shot at the center of the goal for his first MLS hat trick.
LA – Diego Fagundez (Gabriel Pec, Joseph Paintsil), 60th minute: In his 78th career goal, Diego Fagundez got on the end of a short cross by Pec at the top of the six-yard box.
Postgame Notes
- The match marked the 83rd meeting across all competitions between the two teams, with LA leading the all-time series 34-31-18.
- Midfielder Diego Fagundez notched his 78th goal on Saturday night, continuing his march toward the 80/80 club for MLS.
- Through today’s game, Diego Fagundez now has 78 goals and 78 assists in 421 career regular season MLS matches.
- Joseph Paintsil recorded the first hat trick of his MLS career.
- Mauricio Cuevas notched two assists in the match against Sporting Kansas City, bringing his goal contributions to 1 goal and 3 assists in the past three regular season matches.
Next Game
As reigning 2024 MLS Cup Champions, the LA Galaxy will next compete for the 2025 Michelob ULTRA Campeones Cup against 2025 LIGA MX Campeon de Campeones winner, Toluca FC, on Wednesday, October 1 (7:30 pm PT) at Dignity Health Sports Park. Following the match on October 1, the Galaxy will travel to face FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium on Saturday, October 4 (1:30 pm PT, MLS Season Pass), in their next match of the 2025 MLS Regular Season.
Credit: LA Galaxy
