Paintsil, Pec, Cuypers & Co.: Which new MLS star had the biggest impact?

It was the 73rd minute between Los Angeles FC and the Seattle Sounders when Argentine Pedro de la Vega stepped up to convert a penalty to make it 2-1. Ultimately, the goal wasn’t enough for Seattle to turn the result around against last year’s MLS Cup finalist. But the goal was unique nonetheless as it was just one of four goals scored by a league debutant on matchday 1 of the new MLS season (overview).

The other three scorers were Guilherme Biro (Austin FC), Gabriel Segal (Houston Dynamo), and Alejandro Bran (Minnesota United). Biro and Bran actually scored against one another. Bran scored what turned out the winner as Minnesota United beat Austin FC 2-1, making it 2-0 in the 90th minute. Biro’s goal deep in injury time was nothing more than cosmetic. Segal’s goal was more impactful. Coming off the bench, the Houston striker scored the equalizer in a 1-1 draw against Sporting Kansas City. 

As reported, MLS clubs paid over €120 million in transfer fees this winter on new signings. But among the ten most expensive signings this summer, only Seattle’s De La Vega scored on matchday 1. That isn’t to say new arrivals didn’t have an impact right away. The league’s fourth most expensive winter signing, Joseph Paintsil, showed his speed and skill as the Los Angeles Galaxy drew Inter Miami CF with Lionel Messi 1-1 for their home opener. Without a goal, but at least with an assist, was another high-profile player in the form of Luis Suárez. The Uruguayan provided an assist in Inter Miami CF’s 2-0 home opener victory over Real Salt Lake City last week. 

Paintsil, Pec, Cuypers & Co.: New MLS signings will need time

“As you can see, we have really young and talented players in this team,” Paintsil said when asked whether he will need some time to arrive in MLS after the Inter Miami game. “We just need a little bit of time as time goes on because we just arrived.” Finding that chemistry between key players like Paintsil and Pec will be the primary job for Galaxy head coach Greg Vanney going forward. And the Galaxy aren’t the only club wanting a bit more from their new star signings after matchday 1. 

The Chicago Fire paid a club record €12m to KAA Gent for striker Hugo Cuypers. Cuypers played the full 90 minutes in a 2-2 draw against the Philadelphia Union on Saturday but was kept off the scoresheet. But despite not scoring, Fire head coach Frank Klopas was happy with Cuypers’ performance overall. “Hugo is a very good player,” Klopas said after the game. “He's been fit. He really didn't miss much, and he came in one week with us, and I think with his ability, he came in right away and, I think, ready to contribute.” 

One key word here might be patience. Whether it is Paintsil or Pec at the Galaxy, Cuypers with the Fire, or Petar Musa at FC Dallas, new star signings, despite their quality, will need some time to get used to their new surroundings. In some cases, it might also have been the size of the occasion. After all, the Galaxy did face Inter Miami with Messi and Suárez. Cuypers, in the meantime, arrived just a couple of weeks ago and was quickly pressed into action. With that in mind, new star arrivals might not have had an impact on matchday 1, but it is only a matter of time until they will have an impact on this season.