Riqui Puig has said the LA Galaxy are missing Javier Hernandez and Martin Caceres, who are both out through long-term injuries.
Speaking to Sport, the 23-year-old midfielder highlighted how injuries have effected the Galaxy’s play-off chances this season, with Hernandez and Caceres both expected to miss large chunks of the remaining schedule.
Puig said on the Galaxy’s injuries this season: “As a team, injuries are costing us a bit as we have had significant casualties, such as Chicharito and Martin Caceres. But on a personal level, we are good.”
Puig has been one of the Galaxy’s best players this year and has, thankfully, remained injury-free, something that can’t be said about lead striker Hernandez or Uruguay international Caceres.
The duo have been out for some time through injury, with Hernandez’s case ruling the Mexican soccer legend out for the remainder of the 2023 MLS season, a problem that has been felt throughout the Galaxy squad.
Indeed, goals have been a major issue for Greg Vanney’s side for most of the campaign, and for Puig, injuries such as Hernandez’s have played a big role in the Galaxy’s poor year so far in MLS.
Puig can help the Galaxy fight for a play-off spot despite injuries
Injuries can curtail any club’s season, especially when two star players are out hurt, yet Puig has the quality and the characteristics to help lead the Galaxy to an unlikely play-off spot.
As we know, the midfielder is one of the best in MLS and is now starting to play his best football after nearly a year in California, and Puig’s ability alone could help the Galaxy in the second-half of the season.
It will be a long shot, but stranger things have happened in MLS, and Puig’s individual quality could be the difference between a historic league comeback or another forgettable year for the Galaxy.
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