The sky was seemingly falling when the LA Galaxy confirmed that Riqui Puig had torn his ACL forward of the MLS Cup closing showdown with the New York Crimson Bulls.
Puig was not solely the talisman and star attacker for the Galaxy, however his function because the emotional pulse of the squad was on full show through the closing on Saturday.
When the information broke of his confirmed absence from the ultimate, there was loads of dialogue concerning how Galaxy boss Greg Vanney would exchange his star-man within the lineup, however his determination shocked fairly a couple of.
Whereas probably the most pure replacements would have been one in all his veteran attackers Diego Fagúndez or Marco Reus (although Reus was coping with an damage of his personal), Vanney selected 32-year-old midfielder Gastón Brugman, a far-less heralded participant within the Galaxy engine room.
Regardless of making simply 12 begins through the common season, Brugman vindicated Vanney’s shock determination with a merely beautiful displaying within the closing, which finally lead him to be named the MVP of the match.
The Uruguayan made a right away impression, sliding Joseph Paintsil in on purpose inside 10 minutes for the Galaxy’s opening purpose.
Being awarded the MLS Cup closing MVP was simply what Brugman wanted after a tough 2024.
“I used to be going by a troublesome second personally after I got here again from Uruguay after getting my inexperienced card,” Brugman stated after the ultimate.
“The accomplishment of MVP offers me a push of what’s extra to return.”