Riqui Puig is settling in quickly with the Galaxy

As the summer transfer window closes around the rest of the world, the LA Galaxy's front office has made the most of its own. The Uruguayan duo of Gaston Brugman and Martin Caceres have brought depth to positions that need it. Caceres is yet to play but a much-needed veteran voice that head coach Greg Vanney wants on his squad. Brugman has been the defensive midfielder that compliments the rest of the team very well and was a good on the pitch during LA’s win over Toronto on Wednesday.

However, 23-year-old Riqui Puig has stolen the headlines, not only with his move to the City of Angels from Barcelona, but also in his spectacular performances on the pitch. In my eyes, he’s becoming the Starboy of LA soccer.

Puig struggled to gain the confidence of his coaches in Barcelona and couldn’t get on the field often. For the Galaxy, though, he’s been able to play back-to-back 90-minute games and has already begun producing for his new team. In his first start, he had a dazzling through ball for Chicharito that showed his quality passing in the final third. Playing in Toronto just four days later, the Galaxy gave up a halftime lead via second-half goals from Jesus Jimenez and a Federico Bernardeschi penalty, and it looked as if the Galaxy would give up all three points.

But Riqui Puig had other ideas – on an improbable late-match attempt that found the back of the net.

“Since this goal was from so far out, I don’t think I had scored like that," Puig said after the game. "My teammates always say that I can’t score because I don’t have enough strength. And today I was able to score from far out.

"I am very happy," he added. "I think my last goal from outside the box was with Barcelona B and I want to thank the team. I want to thank the head coach who is giving me a lot of confidence. And most importantly, I want to thank my family who are helping me from far away, my girlfriend, and my best friends.”

Even with his goal, Puig still believes that this team can improve even in getting the results from the away games that left the Galaxy on the doorstep of the playoffs. 

"I think the team is doing a good job," he assessed. "I think we are defending well, and we are creating opportunities and we are scoring goals. Today, I think that we let two points get away from us. I think the draw, after playing two road games and securing four points, is very important.”

Vanney praises his new star

Against Toronto, Puig was 70 for 77 passing, registered two key passes, won all three of his duels, led the team in seven possessions won, and his game-winner in Toronto. Over his last two games, Puig has not been dispossessed when on the ball.

“It’s his mobility," Vanney said in his praising his new star player. "It’s his ability to find spaces, find gaps. Play on the move. Pick up the ball. Kind of glide into new areas. Play off of people and get the ball back. It just keeps the tempo of the game, kind of flowing all the time.

"He’s very smart about positioning himself," Vanney added. "When to play in one touch, when to take more touches. And he just has a unique ability to slide through spaces and eliminate, kind of either eliminate guys, or get the game into a new area so that we can move the ball. For us, we have a lot of our midfielders are guys who receive and play, receive and play. And he now kind of takes the game to a different level just with his dribbling.”

'I don't like to lose'

“I have come to the LA Galaxy to win titles and I don’t like to lose," Puig asserted. "Since I was little I never learned to know how to lose. I like to win and I am very competitive. That’s why I give my all every day. Every day I try to win every game and do my best."

He’s shown his emotions in his time with the Galaxy so far being absolutely over the moon after scoring, being a pest to those he’s pressing, and motivating his teammates on the pitch. He's so far been locked in.

“I think we all bring energy to this team," Puig went on to assess. "I have come here to give it all. I am going to leave everything on the field. I have come here to give my all, demonstrate who I am, and the type of player that I am. And the truth is I am very happy. I am adapting well. The team has helped me a lot and I think we are a very competitive team, and we have a big desire to win titles."

Welcoming the pressure

Puig has been able to show what he’s about, his excellent skill and control on the ball combined with the goal-scoring ability that he’s got in his bag. Galaxy fans have seen underwhelming signings in the last couple of years, but Puig looks not to be one of those signings in his two games for LA. His impact and style of play is sustainable, his qualities in possession allow the Galaxy to play better in possession and he doesn’t overcomplicate his ideas on the pitch.

Although Chicharito has talked about trying to not put much pressure on Puig, the Spaniard welcomes it. 

"Obviously in this sport, there's always that pressure to do better to win and I actually feel better and play better when I have that pressure, not only from my teammates but from the fans. And I am welcoming to those demands from the fans,” he said during his introductory press conference.

Galaxy fans will get a chance to watch the 23-year-old up close this weekend as the club returns to Dignity Health Sports Park to face Sporting Kansas City.