If the LA Galaxy want to win MLS Cup in front of their home supporters next weekend, they will have to do so without one of their leading stars.
Riqui Puig will miss MLS Cup after being diagnosed with a torn ACL, the club announced Sunday. Puig will also likely be sidelined for most of the 2025 MLS regular season due to the severity of the injury.
Puig suffered the injury in the second half of the Galaxy’s 1-0 Western Conference Final victory over the Seattle Sounders on Saturday. He played through the injury in the second half before assisting on Dejan Joveljic’s 85th minute winning goal at Dignity Health Sports Park.
The 2024 MLS All-Star recorded 17 goals and 20 assists in 36 matches played across all competitions for the Galaxy this season. He totaled four goals and four assists in four MLS Cup Playoff appearances this fall.
Puig, 25, has registered 23 goals and 28 assists in 68 career MLS appearances.
The Galaxy will host the New York Red Bulls in the 2024 MLS Cup on December 7.
Cruel
That sucks. Puig was one of the most impressive players I’ve ever seen in MLS. Pure class, just sort of glided through lines all around the field, could pull any string he wanted, seemingly. LA Galaxy got some interesting young talent this past year…Puig was on a level unto himself. He just jumped off the field in a way even Marco Reus didn’t.
Genuinely hate it for the guy, and I hope he’s back sooner rather than later. LA Galaxy will not be remotely the same squad without him.
Similar, I think, to Diego Valeri, long with Portland. Not sure who is/was better, but both were/are mainstays for their teams. One of the best players in MLS for sure. Hope he recovers quicker than forecast.