Imagine being a soccer player, playing a key role in your team’s journey to a crucial final, only to get injured and miss the game. On the bright side, your team wins, but doing so without you as a star player makes it a bittersweet achievement. Sadly, LA Galaxy star Riqui Puig also found himself in a similar situation recently, which saw the midfielder earn empathy from Mauricio Pochettino—along with an extra pinch of praise by placing him alongside Lionel Messi.

Talk about being unlucky! Despite playing a key role throughout the 2024 MLS season for his side, the former FC Barcelona star was unable to participate in the crucial final match that the Galaxy somehow managed to win 2-1 against the NY Red Bulls to lift their sixth title after a decade-long wait. Thousands had flocked to Dignity Health Sports Park, Carsen, California, to catch the emphatic clash with Pochettino being one of them.

In fact, the USMNT boss was even called up on a pitch before kickoff for a brief chat with reporter Antonella González on MLS Apple TV. Interestingly, when asked which player he rates highly in the MLS, Pochettino replied, “I think today we’re here in Los Angeles; Riqui Puig has been one of the best players along with Leo Messi. I think it’s a shame he’s not on the field today.”

Consider it a consoling message for Puig, as Pochettino would have loved to see the midfielder on the pitch. But sadly, the 25-year-old missed out on one of the most crucial games of his career due to a brave yet saddening incident in the match just before the MLS final. Call Puig a hero but during last Saturday’s Western Conference final against the Seattle Sounders, he played over 30 minutes on the pitch with a torn ACL.

Furthermore, he even delivered a decisive assist in the Galaxy’s 1-0 triumph over the Sounders to progress to the final match. There, first-half goals from Joseph Paintsil and Dejan Joveljic in the 9th and 13th minutes proved crucial for Greg Vanney’s side as Sean Nealis’ 28th-minute strike for the NY Red Bulls went in vain.

Puig watched the game from the sidelines as the final whistle marked the moment he lifted the trophy with his teammates. While ardent Galaxy fans and Pochettino, who had hoped to see the talented midfielder in action, were at least happy to see Puig win the trophy, it wasn’t the only reason Pochettino made the trip. The USMNT boss had actually arrived with a secret mission!

Expect Mauricio Pochettino to entertain MLS talents in the USMNT camp

In a similar interview, Mauricio Pochettino was also asked about his USMNT proceedings so far as 18 months remain until the 2026 World Cup. Interestingly, he replied, “For me the challenge is to keep working, getting to know all the kids who are in the MLS and also working with people who are outside. But the challenge is to build a team with the belief that you can compete and win.”

Pochettino added both players and coaches have been putting a lot of emphasis on the past 3 months. Interestingly, when further asked about his favorite MLS-based players, the 52-year-old replied, “No, I can’t say the name, because it would have the effect that wouldn’t be good. But there are many players we are following. Now, we’ll have a chance to see them in January.”

Looks like there’s a lot in store for all the American stars who are in the MLS. Exciting times ahead!