Rookie Paintsil registers goal, two assists to propel Galaxy over Rapids

CARSON, Calif. (AP) — Rookie Joseph Paintsil had a goal and two assists by halftime to spark the Los Angeles Galaxy to a 3-2 victory over the Colorado Rapids on Wednesday night.

Diego Fagúndez staked the Galaxy (13-5-7), who moved into first place in the Western Conference, to a 1-0 lead in the 12th minute with his fourth goal of the season. Gabriel Pec notched his third assist on the score and Paintsil picked up his sixth. Pec became the second Galaxy player to contribute to a goal in 10 straight home matches, joining Robbie Keane (2012-13).

The Rapids (11-9-5) knotted the score in the 32nd minute when Kévin Cabral scored for a fifth time this season. Jonathan Lewis earned his second assist of the campaign and defender Sam Vines snagged his first.

The Galaxy regained the lead in the 38th minute when Paintsil used another assist from Pec and Edwin Cerrillo's second helper of the season to find the net for the seventh time.

Paintsil picked up his seventh assist on Riqui Puig's seventh goal this season to give LA a 3-1 lead in the 43rd minute.

Colorado pulled within a goal at halftime when Cole Bassitt scored in the 10th minute of stoppage time. Bassitt's eighth goal of the campaign came on a header after Galaxy keeper John McCarthy blocked a penalty kick by Rafael Navarro but couldn't corral it.

McCarthy finished with seven saves for the Galaxy.

Zack Steffen saved six shots in goal for the Rapids.

LA improves to 8-1-3 at home and has not lost at Dignity Health Sports Park. The Galaxy's only home loss came against Los Angeles FC at Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, Calif.

Colorado lost for just the second time in its last eight matches.

Rapids' first-year manager Chris Armas was a first-round draft pick by the Galaxy in 1996. Cabral had nine goals and nine assists in his two seasons with the Galaxy.

The Galaxy lead the all-time regular-season series 39-32-13, but the Rapids entered played with a 7-1-3 mark in the previous 11 matchups.

The Rapids return home to play Real Salt Lake on Saturday. The Galaxy will host the Portland Timbers on Saturday.

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AP MLS: https://apnews.com/hub/major-league-soccer