Good news for the LA Galaxy as one of their stars returns from injury | OneFootball

The injury bug was something that hit the locker room in Carson, California last season. This year, it appears hurt players is something the LA Galaxy couldn't avoid in 2025.

Following the ACL injury to Riqui Puig in the 2024 MLS Western Conference Finals, the team pretty much ruled him out for the next season.

Players like Miki Yamane have missed a couple games due to injury. However, one star who can help this erratic offense attack for the Galaxy is slated to return this weekend.

Welcome back, Joseph Paintsil

One of four players last season to score ten goals or more, the forward from Ghana will provide some much-needed firepower upon his return to the field. In addition to scoring 10 goals, he also recorded 10 assists during the 2024 MLS regular season.

The highly anticipated 2025 MLS regular season debut for Paintsil should take place this Saturday against Orlando City SC. Of all the goals for him to score, Paintsil was the first to find the back of the net in last year's MLS Cup Finals against the New York Red Bulls.

Gabriel Pec is the only player for the LA Galaxy to have taken the field this year from their 2024 high-scoring, record-setting quartet. As mentioned, Puig is still not cleared medically and Dejan Joveljic has since been traded to Sporting Kansas City.

During the winter, general manager for the LA Galaxy, Will Kuntz, added veteran striker and former member of the Columbus Crew, Christian Ramirez. The newcomer has two scores for the Galaxy this season.

With Paintsil returning, Los Angeles Galaxy head coach Greg Vanneyhas another weapon on offense at his disposal. A season ago, the team led the MLS Western Conference in scoring. Currently, they enter the weekend at the bottom of the standings (0-2-3, 14th).

The Los Angeles Galaxy has a quick turnaround next week as they will host Tigres UANL in the quarterfinals of the Concacaf Champions Cup on Wednesday. The defending MLS champions will play five games in a 15-day span.