"Puig, who missed all of 2025 because of a torn ACL in his left knee, told his coach he needed another surgery, one that will sideline him this season as well. Yet after the shock wore off, Vanney and general manager Will Kuntz decided to stick with the plans they took into the offseason rather than blowing them up because Puig would again be sidelined."
"Indeed, after going winless in their first 16 games - the worst start ever for a reigning MLS champion - the Galaxy figured out how to play without their playmaker in the second half, going 7-6-5 in MLS and beating three of Mexico's top teams in the Leagues Cup. They carried that momentum into the preseason this year, going 3-1-1 against MLS teams with two shutouts, 15 goals scored and seven allowed."
""We wanted to reinforce the back line. We needed to look for a [striker]. We've done both of those things successfully," Vanney said. "The difference is that we don't have Riqui's qualities, which I think over the course of last year we learned a little bit about ourselves and how to deal with it.""
Riqui Puig will miss the 2026 season after announcing he needs another surgery on the left knee that tore his ACL, following his absence in 2025. Coach Greg Vanney and GM Will Kuntz maintained offseason plans, prioritizing defensive reinforcement and acquiring a striker. The Galaxy adapted to Puig's absence late last season, improving to 7-6-5 in MLS and defeating top Mexican clubs in the Leagues Cup. Preseason form registered 3-1-1 with two shutouts. The team opens with a CONCACAF Champions Cup match in Panama and an MLS opener versus NYCFC, featuring new starters Jakob Glesnes, Justin Haak and Joao Klauss.
Read at Los Angeles Times
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