CARSON, Calif. – The LA Galaxy’s Emmanuel Boateng insisted he hasn’t won a starting spot despite appearing in all five games this season and starting three of them, but head coach Curt Onalfo is having a difficult time keeping him out of the lineup.
And that definitely is a nice problem to have for the first-year head coach and the five-time MLS Cup champions, as evidenced by Boateng’s superb effort in Friday’s 2-0 victory over the Montreal Impact in front of a StubHub Center crowd of 19,058.
The native of Accra, Ghana who is in just his second MLS season terrorized the Impact with his speed on the wing until he gave way to Bradford Jamieson IV with less than three minutes remaining. Boateng assisted on Romain Alessandrini’s first-half goal and had a few other near-misses in a performance that had Onalfo singing his praises after the game.
“He’s just a really talented player,” he said of the 5-foot-6, 150-pounder. “People know him for his speed, which is world-class, but for me he’s a really intelligent person.
“He gets better each day with information we give him. He’s able to apply things and continue to get better. I feel he’s developed really nicely from day one in preseason.
“Every time the ball was on that side of the field,” Onalfo continued, “you feel you’re going to get some sort of chance.”
The 23-year-old admitted his confidence is high at the moment.
“It’s pretty good that every time I have the ball in the final third I can help create a chance for our team,” he said. “I feel like I can do that every game.”
Boateng also is appreciative of the opportunity he’s received from Onalfo. Boateng did make 17 starts a year ago under former Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena, but he wasn’t nearly the fixture in the lineup he appears to be now.
The speedy winger, however, wasn’t about to take anything for granted.
“I feel I still haven’t won a starting spot yet, so every game I just come out trying to impress and help us get a win,” he said. “I’m not comfortable yet.
“I’m just going to keep playing hard and try to get better every day.”
Veteran left back Ashley Cole, who plays behind Boateng, has noticed a big improvement in the speedster’s play.
“I think he’s improved massively from last year,” Cole said. “Right now he’s incredible. I’ve faced him in training, and for sure it’s difficult. He doesn’t get tired. He must have worked hard in preseason; it looks like his fitness has gone up a notch.
“He’s doing fantastic and he’s a great lad, too. Hopefully this can be a big, big season for him.”
