Joseph Paintsil scores on return from injury as LA Galaxy beat Sporting Kansas City

Ghanaian attacker Joseph Paintsil made a triumphant return from injury by scoring in LA Galaxy's 4-2 win over Sporting Kansas City in Major League Soccer (MLS) on Saturday.

Paintsil, who had missed the last five games due to a muscle injury, was cleared to play by LA Galaxy coach Greg Vanney ahead of the match.

"Joe's been fully involved this whole week and he was in partial training sessions last week, so he's ready to join the team and be ready to go," Vanney confirmed.

Coming off the bench, Paintsil found the back of the net, marking his fifth goal of the season and playing a crucial role in Galaxy's victory.

The 26-year-old forward has been a key player for LA Galaxy this season, amassing five goals and four assists in just 13 games.

Paintsil's injury had also sidelined him from the Black Stars squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Mali and the Central African Republic.

Now fully recovered, he is expected to rejoin the national team for the September games.

Having joined LA Galaxy in February 2024 on a three-year contract, Paintsil has quickly established himself as an influential player for the team.