There is a swarm of "Killer P's" taking over in LA
By Scott Conrad
Often, we see in sports 'super teams' get assembled with championship hopes. General Manager of the Los Angeles Galaxy, Will Kuntz, has done just that.
He did not accept excuses or stand pat after last year's disaster season that saw the LA Galaxy only win eight games. They may have scored more than 50 goals, but they allowed a league high 67 scores.
Out with Jonathan Bond and in with John McCarthy. Dejan Joveljic and Rqui Puig remained with hopes of brighter days on the Galaxy. In comes to other international players with a last name starting with "P."
Joseph Paintsil and Gabriel Pec joined the Los Angeles Galaxy in early 2024 before the season started. As we now know, history has been made with the five-time MLS champions miraculously turning their franchise around.
They have already scored a dozen more goals this year than last with three games to go. Head Coach Greg Vanney has really infused the talents of Paintsil and Pec with Puig. Joveljic has missed a number of games earlier in the season and Marco Reus did not join the team until deep into the summer.
What makes the "Killer P's" so special?
For starters, this could be a long-term commitment to all three players as the dynamic trio are all signed for at least thru 2027. That gives them another three seasons, at least, together on paper.
This season, Puig became the first of the three Galaxy players to connect on his tenth goal this season. Only one time in MLS history has there been three players from same team with ten goals or more. The LA Galaxy did it in 1998.
Ricard Puig became the third member of the Galaxy this year and the second of the 'Killer P's.' During the victory at home against the Vancouver Whitecaps, Paintsil joined the club when he found the back of the net for the tenth time this year, as well.
What's even more incredible, these particular players don't just find the net. They also find another player who can.
Pec and Paintsil are the two newcomers to the league, and they have 12 and ten assists, respectively on the season. They are most likely not done yet, either, with the season wrapping up on Saturday, October 19th.
Puig has 14 assists himself, which leads the Los Angeles Galaxy. In their last four games for the team, the midfielder and Pec each have three goals and two assists. Paintsil has scored once in the last two games for the Galaxy, too.
While the regular season is nearing an end, the LA Galaxy are primed for their first top seed since 2014. Ten years ago, was when they last claimed a title in MLS. This could be number six thanks to three P's. Three "Killer P's."