The playmaker Galaxy Riqui Puig will miss the MLS Cup final and the start of the 2025 season after having torn the ACL in its left knee during the final victory of the 1-0 Saturday conference on the Sounders of Seattle, the club announced on Sunday.
There was no official calendar for the return of Puig, but the restoration of a broken ACL can take between six and 12 months. He should undergo surgery in the coming days.
Puig, who had the help of Dejan Jveljic's winning goal in the 85th minute, continued to play for 30 minutes after suffering the injury. Before limping in the changing rooms in tears after the final whistle, he gave his parents to get out of the stands and join him on the field, where they wrapped their arms around him and tried to try the console. Galaxy coach Greg Vanney was also seen to kiss and comfort Puig, who then wore a towel above his head.
Puig was not made available to the media after the match.
Puig, 25, had career summits for goals (13) and assists (15) during the regular season, then added four additional goals and three assists in four qualifying matches. The old product of Barcelona, during its third season in MLS, is the undisputed catalyst for the high octane offensive of the galaxy.
With Puig as a quarter, the Galaxy has become the first team in the history of MLS to have four players – Puig, Jveljic, Joseph Paintsil and Gabriel Pec – score 10 or more goals during the same season. Three of the four also finished with two -digit assists for the Galaxy, which equaled the record of the modern era of the franchise for goals with 69.
Puig, which is assured of $ 4.64 million this year, signed a contract extension in May which takes place during the 2027 season.
The final of the MLS Cup on Saturday with the New York Red Bulls will mark the first appearance of the Galaxy in the League championship match since 2014. The Galaxy has won a Five MLS League record.
