MLS
Why isn’t Riqui Puig playing for LA Galaxy against NYCFC?
The Los Angeles Galaxy will host New York City FC on Wednesday without Riqui Puig who continues to recover from a groin injury.
Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Riqui Puig will miss a second successive MLS game today, as the Californians host New York City FC. Puig remains sidelined by the groin injury that forced him to sit out the Galaxy’s 4-2 league win over Sporting Kansas City on Saturday.
Puig a big miss for Galaxy, head coach says
Speaking after the weekend victory over Kansas City, Galaxy head coach Greg Vanney said Puig’s absence robs the side of a player with unique abilities.
“When Riqui is on the field, he starts high, comes low, he defends high, he drops low,” Vanney told reporters at Dignity Health Sports Park. “That sets a series of moments into play that are hard to defend, and Riqui has special qualities to be able to change the tempo of the game like nobody else in our league.”
Galaxy well placed for postseason spot
Puig, who joined the Galaxy from LaLiga club Barcelona in August 2022, has scored six goals and supplied five assists in MLS this season.
Bidding to qualify for the playoffs for only the second time in the last five seasons, the Galaxy are currently on a run of just one defeat in their past eight MLS games. The five-time league champions sit third in the Western Conference standings, three points behind leaders Real Salt Lake. The top nine teams in each conference qualify for the postseason.
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Galaxy vs NYCFC: start time, how to watch
The Los Angeles Galaxy host New York City FC today, Wednesday 19 June 2024, at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. Kick-off is scheduled for 10:30pm ET/7:30pm PT. The game will be broadcast on Apple TV.