Los Angeles, CA – Ghanaian winger Joseph Paintsil delivered a scintillating performance, scoring twice as LA Galaxy cruised past Minnesota United with a commanding 6-2 victory to secure their spot in the 2024 MLS Western Conference final.

Paintsil, who joined the Galaxy in February, has been instrumental in their postseason success, and Sunday night at Dignity Health Sports Park was no exception. The 26-year-old added to his growing reputation with two expertly taken goals in a dominant display.

The match began in explosive fashion, with Gabriel Pec firing the Galaxy ahead in the first minute, courtesy of a precise pass from Riqui Puig. However, Minnesota’s Italian-Ghanaian striker Kelvin Yeboah responded just five minutes later with a stunning left-footed strike to level the score.

Dejan Joveljić restored the Galaxy’s lead in the 16th minute, rising to meet Marco Reus’s perfectly delivered free-kick. Then came Paintsil’s first moment of brilliance in the 37th minute, as he connected with a pinpoint cross from Miki Yamane to make it 3-1.

Yeboah kept Minnesota’s hopes alive with a coolly converted penalty in the 45th minute, sending the teams into halftime with the Galaxy holding a narrow 3-2 lead.

In the second half, the home side took control. Gabriel Pec notched his second goal early after the restart, though he missed the chance for a hat-trick with a penalty miss in the 78th minute.

Paintsil then put the result beyond doubt in the 86th minute, curling in a superb strike after a well-placed pass from John Nelson. Joveljić added a sixth moments later, completing a dominant Galaxy performance.

With the win, the five-time MLS champions set up a thrilling Western Conference final clash against the Seattle Sounders.