MLS: Riqui Puig Suffers Season-Ending ACL Injury

Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Riqui Puig has been ruled out of the MLS Cup final after suffering a torn ACL in his left knee during the Western Conference final.

Disaster has struck the Los Angeles Galaxy ahead of the MLS Cup final, as midfielder Riqui Puig has been ruled out due to a torn ACL. The 25-year-old Spanish playmaker suffered the injury during the Galaxy's 1-0 win over the Seattle Sounders on Saturday, a victory that secured their spot in the final.

The loss of Puig is a devastating blow to the Galaxy, who are set to face the New York Red Bulls in the MLS Cup final on Saturday. This is the Galaxy's first MLS Cup final appearance in a decade, and Puig's absence will undoubtedly be felt. The midfielder had a phenomenal season, scoring 17 goals and providing 20 assists in 36 matches for the Galaxy.

Riqui Puig was visibly limping and in discomfort towards the end of the game, and further examination revealed the extent of the injury. An MRI scan conducted on Sunday confirmed that Puig had suffered a “torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee.”

Despite the severity of the injury, Puig continued to play for another 30 minutes after suffering the setback during the second half of the game. His determination paid off, as he provided the match-winning assist for Dejan Joveljic's 85th-minute goal. The Galaxy have announced that Puig will undergo surgery to repair the injury, although a date for the procedure has yet to be determined.

Riqui Puig has played a pivotal role in the Los Angeles Galaxy's resurgence, which has seen them return to the top of Major League Soccer after a dismal 2022 season that ended with a penultimate finish in the Western Conference. His creativity and vision on the field have been instrumental in the team's transformation.

Puig's impressive skills were honed during his time at Barcelona's renowned La Masia academy. He progressed through the youth ranks and went on to make 42 appearances for Barcelona's first team before making the move to the Los Angeles Galaxy in August 2022. In a testament to his importance to the team, Puig signed a contract extension with the Galaxy in May, securing his future with the club until 2027.