The Galaxy will start the brand new season the identical means they completed the previous one — with Riqui Puig on the sideline after knee surgical procedure. That’s a giant drawback as a result of Puig is concerning the closest factor MLS has to an irreplaceable participant. And with coaching camp beginning in a few weeks, the crew has treasured little time to attempt to change him.
In 2024, the final time Puig was on the sphere, he led the league in touches and passes and set profession highs for objectives (13) and assists (15). With him directing the assault, the Galaxy set a report with 4 gamers scoring 10 or extra instances en route a sixth MLS title. It was top-of-the-line seasons in franchise historical past.
In 2025, with out Puig, the one information the Galaxy set had been for futility, beginning the season winless of their first 16 league matches and ending with simply seven wins, a franchise low for a full season. No reigning MLS Cup champion has fared so poorly.
The distinction is so stark as a result of Puig doesn’t simply outline the best way the crew performs; he is the best way the crew performs. He’s the quarterback and the purpose guard. His pace, dribbling and passing capability make the Galaxy go, opening up area for alternative for his teammates. He’s the uncommon participant who really makes everybody round him higher.
Even Lionel Messi isn’t as vital to his crew as Puig is to the Galaxy.
“The sport modifications when Riqui’s on the sphere,” coach Greg Vanney mentioned.
Puig first tore the ACL in his left knee within the Western Convention closing in 2024, aiding on the sport’s solely purpose after sustaining the harm. The Galaxy initially thought they’d have him again by late summer time, in time for a playoff push. So final winter they felt snug buying and selling Mark Delgado and Gastón Brugman, the 2 almost certainly fill-ins for Puig, largely to suit their payroll underneath the MLS wage cap.
Within the interim, the plan was to make Marco Reus the crew’s midfield maestro. However Reus had his personal harm issues and didn’t begin consecutive MLS video games till early Might. By then the Galaxy had gone winless via their first 10 matches.
Reus went on to play effectively at instances, however the season was successfully over by then. There could be no playoff push, so the Galaxy felt no have to rush Puig again.
This winter the crew’s complete offseason preparation was based mostly on Puig’s return — each on and off the sphere.
Off the sphere, the Galaxy filmed a multi-part documentary known as “Riqui Puig’s Street To Restoration” and used his return to hype ticket gross sales. On the sphere, believing the midfield to be set, common supervisor Will Kuntz added two top-tier defenders in Jakob Glesnes and Justin Haak, committing greater than $2 million in wage to the pair.
However then, in the future into the brand new 12 months, Puig and the crew realized he wanted one other operation and must miss a second season, throwing all the Galaxy’s plans into the dumpster.
The Galaxy by no means blamed their troubles final season on Puig’s absence, however they didn’t must. It was apparent. And in the event that they couldn’t change the irreplaceable final season, what confidence ought to anybody have that they will do it this season?
The crew’s greatest mistake final 12 months was not planning for Puig’s absence. The crew entered the winter figuring out he’d miss many of the season and didn’t act accordingly. They even stored Puig’s $5.8-million wage and designated-player roster spot on the books within the hopes he’d play in some unspecified time in the future.
Don’t count on them to make the identical errors this time. As a substitute, the Galaxy are all however sure to put him on the season-ending harm listing, opening up a DP slot and erasing the hit his wage takes on the funds cap.
The excellent news, if there may be any, is that Vanney believes the Galaxy ultimately found out the way to play with out Puig final 12 months. After going winless of their first 16 MLS video games, the Galaxy went 7-6-5 in league play and completed third within the Leagues Cup, incomes a spot within the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
“By the tip of the 12 months, we had been beating MLS playoff groups and we beat the highest groups in Mexico,” Vanney mentioned. “We discovered how this group may very well be profitable with out the items that had been lacking.”
Now they’ll have to do this once more.
What precisely occurred with Puig hasn’t been made clear. He was greater than a 12 months into his rehab when he returned residence to Barcelona for the vacations. Puig had educated alongside the crew final fall and he continued coaching in Spain. The restoration appeared to be going effectively.
However one thing — a fast transfer or an unsure reduce — despatched Puig again to the physician and a day later he underwent a second operation.
ACL revision surgical procedures (a number of procedures) usually are not uncommon, with some research suggesting they’re wanted between 10% to twenty% of the time, particularly for athletes who play so-called pivoting sports activities resembling soccer. Mostly, a second surgical procedure is required as a result of the primary graft has re-torn.
Christen Press, a two-time World Cup champion, torn the ligament in her proper knee eight video games into her first season with Angel Metropolis and wanted 4 operations to restore the injury. She began simply three extra matches over the following 3 ½ seasons earlier than retiring.
However Press was 33 when she was injured. Puig is 26. And although that implies the chances for a full restoration are excessive, Puig’s age additionally provides to the poignancy of the state of affairs for the reason that harm will now take two years off his profession when he was at his prime.
One other season like 2024 may have had Puig, who performed 42 video games over 4 seasons for Barcelona, planning for a return to Europe or at the least one other huge payday in MLS. Now he gained’t play one other recreation till he’s 27 and within the closing 12 months of his contract, when the strain to show he’s wholesome and nonetheless a dynamic game-changing participant will probably be immense.
Within the meantime, the Galaxy discover themselves as soon as once more making an attempt to exchange the irreplaceable.
⚽ You’ve gotten learn the newest installment of On Soccer with Kevin Baxter. The weekly column takes you behind the scenes and shines a highlight on distinctive tales. Take heed to Baxter on this week’s episode of the “Nook of the Galaxy” podcast.
