Joseph Paintsil stole the spotlight in Los Angeles with two goals against LAFC, and now he's back in the MLS Team of the Week.
Ghana's Joseph Paintsil is back among the best in MLS. His two-goal display for LA Galaxy in the El Traffico derby against LAFC has earned him a place in the Team of the Week for matchday 32.
It was a timely reminder of what the Black Stars forward can do. Injuries have limited his impact this season, but Paintsil came alive on the big derby stage. He first finished off a well-weighted cross from Robert Taylor, then struck again after the break by sweeping in a rebound, putting the visitors two goals clear at BMO Field.
The Galaxy could not hold on, though. Denis Bouanga and Leo Walta pulled LAFC level, and the derby ended 2-2. That was a painful finish for the reigning champions, but Paintsil's performance still stood out, and his 9.2 rating helped secure his selection.
He is joined in the XI by Columbus Crew pair Malte Amundsen and Dylan Chambost, along with Cincinnati's Evander, Austin FC's Myrto Uzuni and Real Salt Lake's Sergi Solans. Dallas pair Petar Musa and Osaze Urhoghide are also picked, as are Matt Turner of New England Revolution and San Diego's Cédric Bakambu, the DR Congo international, who gives the team a second African flavour.
For Paintsil, this is more than a weekly honour. It is proof that he can still be a difference-maker when fit, just as the Galaxy push through the closing stretch of the campaign.
