A second-half equalizer from Joseph Paintsil afforded the LA Galaxy a 1-1 draw in Thursday's Concacaf Champions Cup Leg 1 against Panamanian side Sporting San Miguelito.
Sporting SM struck first in the 37th minute through midfielder Rodrigo Tello, who headed home a free header at the far post off a cross from Angel Valencia.
The Galaxy struck back, however, finding a 68th-minute leveler from Paintsil. The Ghanaian winger converted a comfortable finish after pouncing on a deflected ball in the penalty area.
LA narrowly avoided another concession 10 minutes from full time, when a long cross into the penalty box evaded goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski. But the effort rang off the crossbar, ensuring the Galaxy will head into Leg 2 next Wednesday at Dignity Health Sports Park on level terms with an all-important road goal.Â
The aggregate winner of the series advances to take on Jamaican Premier League side Mount Pleasant FA in the Round of 16.
Next Up
- LA: Sunday, Feb. 22 vs. New York City FC | 7 pm ET | Apple TV | MLS regular season
- SSM: Wednesday, Feb. 25 at LA Galaxy | 11:30 pm ET | Concacaf Champions Cup Leg 2
