Ranking the Top 75 MLS Players of 2024: 30. Joseph Paintsil

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Joseph Paintsil is one of the many LA Galaxy offensive contributors. He arrived in MLS as a marquee signing on the wing and contributed double-digit goals and assists in his introduction to the league. The team had four players post incredible scoring numbers and Paintsil actually had the worst of the four at 10 and 10, which just goes to show how destined this team was to hoist the cup. There was no stopping the high octane attack they built in the offseason.

Paintsil wasted absolutely no time, scoring and assisting right away against San Jose. He had numerous games with a goal and assist across the opening months of the campaign. Paintsil terrorized the Quakes with a goal in all three regular season matchups last season. He scored and assisted twice in a 3-2 win over Portland. In the playoffs, Paintsil scored the winner during a 4-1 win that sent the Colorado Rapids home. He proceeded to score a brace against Minnesota United. When it mattered most in MLS Cup, he scored just nine minutes in and hoisted the trophy after his very first attempt.

The wings were truly blessed by Paintsil and Gabriel Pec in Carson, Calif., this season. The pair represents a nightmare for opposing defenses, especially with Riqui Puig pulling the strings. It did not feel like any other team had a chance at the title last season when the Galaxy's attack was laid out. Marco Reus was literally their depth piece. Paintsil scored 14 total goals and had 0.47 non-penalty xG. He put up 6.37 touches in the opposition's box per 90 and won 2.6 fouls, proving that teams had to hack him just to stop his progress. His opening season was incredible and there is no reason why he cannot do more of the same in 2025. Paintsil comes in at No. 30.

30) JOSEPH PAINTSIL | FWD, LA | PER 90 STATS (PERCENTILE)

14 GOALS

0.47 NON-PENALTY xG (96%)

6.37 TOUCHES IN OPPOSITION BOX PER 90 (91%)

2.6 FOULS WON PER 90 (89%)