The Galaxy wrapped up their stay in Indio with Saturday’s 1-0 loss against Chicago Fire FC.
The attention turns now toward next Sunday’s season opener at Dignity Health Sports Park against expansion team San Diego FC (4 p.m., Apple TV+).
“I thought it was a good two weeks for us,” Galaxy coach Greg Vanney said. “A big part of it was getting guys’ legs under them and fitness and getting to integrate some guys into our system.”
New signing Lucas Sanabria had an extended run Saturday, along with forward newly acquired Christian Ramirez.
“For Lucas, it was first real run,” Vanney said. “We talked to him about his positioning and kind of understanding his movements and understandings. We wanted to get Christian connected to group … I thought we had dominant moments in attack, but we made a couple of mistakes in the build-out play.
“Overall, I think we played well in the games prior as we mixed in guys and guys were able to adapt inside of games. I thought it was a good two weeks and I know guys are ready to get started.”
On Wednesday, the Galaxy acquired Ramirez in a trade with the Columbus Crew for $250,000 in General Allocation Money in 2025 and a conditional $250,000 next season.
The Santa Ana native has spent the past two years with Columbus, amassing 23 goals and 12 assists in 77 games. He joins a growing list of players to have played on both sides of the Galaxy-LAFC rivalry. Ramirez, 33, spent 2018 and 2019 with LAFC.
Reus sees first action
Marco Reus made his preseason debut, playing the first half against Chicago, much to Vanney’s delight.
“He looked good, very smooth on the ball and his touch is so good,” Vanney said. “He hasn’t played a lot, he’s done a lot of work in control environments. He probably could have continued more if it made sense. He’s put himself in good position for next weekend.”
Joseph Paintsil update
Paintsil has been sidelined with a quad injury, which Vanney said will likely sideline him for “a bit.”
“He’s played so much over the last year and half and when came into camp, he was off the playing, buzzing and flying,” Vanney said. “He took a shot and he felt something a couple of weeks. We’re hopeful it’s something that can heal fast.”
Paintsil played in nearly 80 games since the start of the 2023-24 European season.
New addition on the way
Reports have the Galaxy linked with Brazilian Matheus Nascimento, a 20-year forward from Botafogo. Vanney said the moved could be finalized “in days, if not hours.”