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All El Tráficos count the same, right? Well, maybe that wasn't the case Tuesday night with LAFC and the LA Galaxy meeting in the U.S. Open Cup at only the Round of 16 stage and with LAFC entirely focused on next week's Concacaf Champions League final against León.
This meeting was basically the El Clásico equivalent of Barcelona playing Real Madrid in a preseason friendly at Hard Rock Stadium.
But don't tell Riqui Puig that.
The LA Galaxy have already been fully established as this year's "Meme Team," and Tuesday night only offered further proof because despite actually beating their inter-city rivals, it's still really easy to laugh at what the Galaxy accomplished.
Sitting dead last in MLS with only nine points through 13 games, the Galaxy clearly wanted this one more with a starting lineup that included Puig, Chicharito, Gastón Brugman and Martín Cáceres. LAFC went the opposite direction with two 17-year-olds in the backline, an 18-year-old in midfield and a 19-year-old leading the attack.
Despite the differing approaches, the Galaxy still couldn't find a first-half opener at BMO Stadium. Puig should have with a penalty in the 34th minute but Eldin Jakupović (John McCarthy's backup) stonewalled the Spaniard.
ELDIN JAKUPOVIC SAVES RIQUI PUIG'S PENALTY.
Absolute madness in LA right now in the @opencup. pic.twitter.com/ROqGsg7g2m— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 24, 2023
Tyler Boyd eventually made the breakthrough for the Galaxy in the 49th minute, and that set the stage for Puig's not-game-winner. I think LAFC's supporters' section (the 3252) was more confused at the celebration than anything else.
RIQUI PUIG! STOP THAT!
Messi-esque goal and celebration. pic.twitter.com/7pFytwdgeS— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 24, 2023
Messi did the jersey celly after scoring a last-minute winner (3-2) against Real Madrid at the Bernabéu. It was his second goal of the match and put Barça on Real's heels for the LaLiga title. The circumstances were obviously a lot different last night.
One LAFC player was left less than impressed by Puig: veteran defender Giorgio Chiellini. The 38-year-old wasn't in the squad because of an injury that has sidelined him since April, but while Puig was giving a post-match interview the Italian walked by and yelled "payaso" ("clown") at him.
CHIELLINI, ¿QUITÁNDOLE “PAYASO” A RIQUI PUIG @RiquiPuig?
En la entrevista que brindaba el español, luego de la victoria de #LAGalaxy (0-2) sobre #LAFC. #GiorgioChiellini salió y gritó: “payaso”.¿A @LAFC no le cayó en gracia la celebración de #Puig al estilo #Messi? pic.twitter.com/Lht1W8JLm3
— Pase Filtrado (@pasefiltrado) May 24, 2023
Puig now has two goals and zero assists in 14 appearances across all competitions for the Galaxy this season. He might not be the Next Messi after all.
