Galaxy finished near the bottom of the Western Conference and missed out on the MLS Cup playoffs altogether, falling well short of expectations after beginning the campaign as defending champions.
Long winless stretches and defensive struggles defined a season in which results failed to reflect the quality within the squad. Despite the poor season, the German managed eight goals and nine assists in all competitions.
“Reus is a perfect example as midfielder and an attacker as well. He knows where exactly he has to put the ball immediately the ball gets to his feet. He is really intelligent,” Paintsil told Flashscore in an exclusive interview.
“He has been in the league for so long at Borussia Dortmund. It is something I have always dreamt to play with those kind of players and my vision and my dreams are coming true especially me having Marco Reus on my team,” he added.
Reus’ experience has brought composure and authority to Galaxy’s setup, qualities Paintsil believes have been crucial in a challenging campaign.
“He has shown a lot of confidence, maturity and leadership. He is someone that I am looking forward to share the pitch with.”
Paintsil also highlighted the impact of Reus’ partnership with Riqui Puig, pointing to their shared preference for quick combinations and short passing in advanced areas.
“Having Reus alongside Riqui Puig is like the best combination because they like to play short passes like it’s Barcelona. Riqui likes playing with him and it helps us especially in offensive transitions.”
While Galaxy’s 2025 season ended in disappointment, Paintsil remains convinced the presence of experienced figures like Reus offers a strong platform for improvement going forward.
