Paulinho Hat Trick Downs LA Galaxy 4-2 in Champions Cup First Leg
LA Galaxy Midfielder Marco Reus had a goal and an assist in the Galaxy's 4-2 away loss to Toluca in the Concacaf Champions Cup on Wednesday, April 8, 2026. Toluca, Mexico -- The LA Galaxy gave themselves a lifeline by scoring two vital away goals, but were powerless to stop an imperious showing by Toluca Striker Paulinho, who punished the visitors with a hat trick in a 4-2 first-leg Concacaf Champions Cup Quarterfinal match on Wednesday, April 8, 2026. This one was wild!
Leg Two is next Wednesday. #ConcaChampions pic. twitter.
com/Hy1sUPxXlv — Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 9, 2026 LA Galaxy Head Coach Greg Vanney made sure to highlight the positives from the Galaxy's performance where they were heavy underdogs. “Coming here, a really difficult place to play, a very good team, picking up two goals was really important, to go home with something to build off again,” Vanney explained in a post-match press conference after the road defeat. “You know, for us, the goal here was to try to set ourselves up and give ourselves a chance to win it coming back home.
” He did make sure to express his disappointment in another poor Galaxy defensive showing, and already warned his team about the dangers of a second leg. “I don't love the fact that we gave up four goals; it's going to be a challenge to keep them from scoring. ” The Galaxy boss spoke from recent experience after watching his team struggle to keep a potent and fluid Toluca attack quiet.
The first half saw a Galaxy team that was outmatched, lacking confidence and belief, and whose soccer was outclassed. From the first minute, Toluca was all over the Galaxy and had two good chances within the first five minutes. Only last-ditch defending by Emiro Garcés saved LA early.
Continue to the original source for the full article.