Off the field, Joseph Paintsil is still getting settled in. When he steps across the lines, that’s a different story.
The Galaxy’s newest Designated Player has fit in as if he’s been with the group for years, instead of just a couple of weeks.
“His integration into the league and team has happened quickly,” Galaxy coach Greg Vanney said of Paintsil. “It was a different setup against Nashville (last Sunday), they had a back five and their left wingback was staying tight to Joseph, so it was hard for him, especially in the first half, to find spaces and ways to get involved in the game.
“He went searching around the field to get touches, but I thought as the second half came along, we started to find him in some good pockets and his influence started to come up. His work rate, both offensively and defensively, has been fantastic.”
Paintsil, who joined the Galaxy from Racing Genk in Belgium, has a goal and an assist through the first three games.
The Galaxy (1-0-2, five points) returns to Dignity Health Sports Park on Saturday to face St. Louis City SC (Apple TV+, 7:30 p.m.).
“Everything is good,” the 26-year-old Ghanian forward said. “I’m in a hotel for now, trying to find a place, but I think today or tomorrow, I will move.
“The league is very competitive. Every team is hard to play. We have a good connection and as time goes on, I think the bond is going to be really strong. This is like a whole love of family, compared to the other clubs that I’ve had.”
Paintsil said his family is still in Belgium, but they will visit soon.
His introduction has come fast and against a busy schedule. First, it was a 1-1 tie against Lionel Messi and Inter Miami CF and then consecutive road games, with a 3-1 victory over San Jose and a 2-2 draw against Nashville.
“It’s a positive thing for us as a group,” he said. “In Nashville, we were down 2-0 down and we came back to equalize. If there was more time, we could have won the game.
“I think we’re really in a comfortable zone and a good zone for the team. We haven’t lost a game and the most important thing is to focus on the next game, which is important because we will be playing in front of our fans and we need to give them what they deserve.”
In the perfect world, the Galaxy would be 3-0. A late goal by Messi, scored after the Galaxy had Mark Delgado sent off, ended the season opener in a draw at Dignity Health Sports Park. Last week, Dejan Joveljic failed to convert a penalty that could have put the Galaxy up 1-0 against Nashville.
“We could easily be sitting on nine (points),” Vanney said. “But I think as this team continues to learn how to win games, put teams away, execute as they grow together, then hopefully we can turn these draws into wins. Get out in front of games and close out games, those two things are important at the end of the day.
“I think what we’re seeing now is some clarity in terms of what we want to do on the field, now it’s turning that clarity into consistent results and three points.”
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The Galaxy will get their other Designated Player, Gabriel Pec, back Saturday. He missed last week’s game against Nashville due to his wedding.
“He looks great,” Vanney said. “He looks like some of the stuff that might have been on his mind before, getting married, he seems like that’s behind him. I think his wife traveled back with him. That’s settled and life seems a little calmer, which will really help him take off going forward.”
St. Louis SC at Galaxy
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Dignity Health Sports Park
TV: Apple TV (free)