MLS
LA Galaxy name Riqui Puig as Designated Player for 2023 MLS season
Puig joined the Galaxy from Barcelona in August 2022 and impressed in his first few months in MLS.
One player who made an immediate impact upon his arrival in MLS was former Barcelona midfielder Riqui Puig, who joined LA Galaxy in August 2022. The Spaniard quickly earned a starting role on Greg Vanney’s team and supplied the ammunition for Mexican star Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernández, who ended last season with 19 goals to his name. On Wednesday, it was announced that ex-Barça youngster Puig had become one of Galaxy’s Designated Players for the 2023 campaign.
A press release issued by the club stated: “The LA Galaxy today announced the club has named midfielder Riqui Puig as a Designated Player. Puig, 23, tallied three goals and five assists in 10 regular-season appearances (9 starts) in his first season with the LA Galaxy during the 2022 campaign”.
When do LA Galaxy kick off their 2023 MLS season?
This new role on the roster sees Puig become the third Designated Player on the roster after Hernández and Douglas Costa as Galaxy look to bring success to Dignity Health Spots Park in the 2023 MLS season, which starts for them with a trip to face FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium on Saturday 4 March.
Puig, however, won’t have the opportunity to link up with the injured Hernández in Texas, with in-form youngster Dejan Joveljic set to lead the line for the Galaxy.
Puig unable to force his way into Barcelona team
Puig made a total of 60 appearances in all competitions across four seasons for Barcelona and was touted to have a big future with the Catalan giants. However, he failed to hold down a regular place in the starting line-up and was allowed to leave for pastures new at the start of the 2022-23 European season.