LA Galaxy key injury news ahead of Houston Dynamo matchup

The LA Galaxy face some injury concerns as they prepare for their crucial match against the Houston Dynamo, with Joseph Paintsil and Marco Reus both questionable for the game.

With the 2024 MLS regular season nearing its conclusion, the Galaxy sits atop the Western Conference with 64 points, closely followed by LAFC with 61 points.

To secure their top spot heading into the playoffs, they must reaffirm their dominance on Saturday against the Dynamo.

LA Galaxy key injury news ahead of Houston Dynamo matchup

Joseph Paintsil has been a key player for the Galaxy in recent matches, delivering standout performances that have helped the team maintain their lead.

However, in their last game against Austin FC, the Ghanaian forward was forced to leave the field early due to an injury, sparking concern among fans about his availability for upcoming matches.

Paintsil was initially called up to play for Ghana in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Sudan but was withdrawn from the squad due to this recent setback, which is believed to be a hamstring issue.

While there hasn’t been an official statement regarding the severity of Paintsil's injury or whether he’ll be available for Saturday’s match, reports suggest that he may not be fit to play, but nothing has been confirmed yet

According to Corner of the Galaxy, Paintsil's injury is considered low to very low grade. He has been making progress but has yet to reach full speed in training, leaving his inclusion in the match against Houston Dynamo uncertain.

In addition to Paintsil’s situation, the Galaxy have also been without German midfielder Marco Reus for several key games. Reus suffered an injury during their September 21st victory over Vancouver Whitecaps, which has sidelined him for the past few weeks.

Despite his absence, there is positive news regarding his recovery. Head coach Greg Vanney indicated that Reus will likely receive some playing time this weekend, though the team will be cautious not to overexert him. Reus was spotted participating in training on Wednesday, a promising sign of his potential return.

With the playoffs just around the corner, the LA Galaxy will need to make the right decisions to ensure their success.

Their performance on Saturday will be critical, and the hope is that both Paintsil and Reus will soon be back to full strength, ready to contribute in the postseason. The match between Houston Dynamo and LA Galaxy kicks off on Saturday, October 19th, at 18:00 PT.