Riqui Puig questions MLS Cup Playoff format

Riqui Puig continues to show why he is one of the best players in Major League Soccer this season, and thanks to his performances, the Los Angeles Galaxy are emerging as serious title contenders.

The Spaniard was key in the First Round of the best-of-three MLS Cup Playoffs series, scoring four goals and registering an assist to eliminate the Colorado Rapids and advance to the Western Conference semifinal against Minnesota.

That is reflected in his figures - the best of his career so far: 17 goals (13 in MLS) and 12 assists. Puig

“I don’t want to put limits on myself. I think I’m having one of the best years of my life in terms of goals and assists. But it’s also thanks to the team and they’ve done an impressive job. We’re playing the way the coach wants and we’re scoring on the field,” the player said this week as the Galaxy prepare for Sunday’s showdown.

“I’m looking forward to facing Minnesota, they’re a team that defends very well and doesn’t give up many counterattacks, and we’re very strong in that aspect. But I think the Galaxy guys up front are putting up impressive numbers and I hope that on Sunday we’ll be on the same page,” the number 10 added.

Puig criticized MLS again

The Spaniard has repeatedly reiterated his commitment to the Los Angeles Galaxy and how happy he feels since his arrival in 2022. Riqui even signed a contract extension until the end of the 2027 season and hopes to win many trophies during his time in Major League Soccer.

However, this year he was unhappy with the schedule and the new playoff format. The Galaxy have not played an official match for just over three weeks and Puig is concerned that the break could affect their rhythm.

“It’s like doing a new pre-season, to be honest, because when you train during the week and you know there won’t be a game, it’s a bit more difficult,” he explained. “Maybe the players aren’t as motivated or as focused because the game is in three weeks. But hey, we’ve reached the important week and we know we’re playing on Sunday. It’s also a difficult time because we haven’t played at that time all year, but if they want to change things now that it’s the most important time of the season... fine”.

He continued: “I think that when you see playoffs in other competitions like basketball or baseball, they play every three days. We’ve been competing for about 10 months and all we want is to finish as soon as possible and now that we’re in shape we need to play games as soon as possible. We’re physically and mentally fine, but waiting three weeks is a bit complicated for us”.

The Galaxy’s aspirations this year

As for his hopes - Puig is clear that he wants to finish the year with silverware and the team is just three games away from doing just that.

“I think we are the Galaxy, we are the team that has the most MLS Cups in the entire league. I think we have to go for the maximum, which is to win the cup. The Galaxy is a great team and we cannot be satisfied with just playing the conference final or the conference semifinal. We have to go for everything, the team is motivated and I have a lot of confidence in this team,” he reasoned.

“I think the team is eager to face this match and wants to win this MLS Cup. We are excited and above all to give this cup to the people who have been waiting so long and I think the Galaxy deserves it,” he concluded.

The winners of Sunday’s semifinal will advance to the Western Conference final where either Los Angeles FC or the Seattle Sounders await.

The 2024 MLS Cup final will be played on Saturday 7 December with the highest-ranked team in the Supporters’ Shield standings hosting the match.