Gio Reyna should seriously consider a loan to LA Galaxy as they prepare for the MLS Cup final against the New York Red Bulls without their key midfielder, Riqui Puig.
Puig, who made headlines by joining the Galaxy in 2022 from FC Barcelona, is sidelined due to a torn ACL sustained during the semifinal against the Seattle Sounders on November 30. Remarkably, he played the last 30 minutes of that match, even assisting Dejan Joveljić with the decisive goal.
While there is no set timeline for Puig’s recovery, he is expected to miss a significant portion, if not all, of the 2025 MLS season. This loss leaves the Galaxy in search of a way to fill the gap left by Puig, who contributed 15 goals and 13 assists in 29 matches this season and earned a spot on the league’s best XI alongside Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba.
Could Gio Reyna be the answer to LA Galaxy’s search for a temporary replacement for Puig?
Reyna is available and, as an American player, he seeks a team where he can gain valuable playing time. Since his move to Borussia Dortmund from New York City FC’s academy in 2019, he has participated in just 141 matches across all competitions. His recent loan to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League did not yield the desired results.
Although Reyna does not play the same role as Riqui Puig, he possesses some qualities reminiscent of Puig’s style. For years, Puig has been recognized for his skill, and this season, he thrived with strong support from teammates, orchestrating plays in a way that harkens back to classic midfield mastery.
For the Galaxy, the goal is not to revive Reyna’s career but to find the best player available who can mimic Puig’s impact on the field.
Previously, Landon Donovan suggested that Christian Pulisic, who faced limited playing time at Chelsea, should consider a move to MLS for guaranteed minutes. At the time, he faced criticism for this idea.
With the 2026 World Cup approaching, Reyna finds himself in a similar situation at Dortmund, making the idea of a move to MLS more plausible. The January transfer window may present an opportunity for Reyna to make a strategic decision about his career.
Alexi Lalas, a soccer analyst for FOX Sports and host of “Alexi Lalas’ State of the Union Podcast,” has a rich history in soccer, having played for the USMNT in the 1994 FIFA World Cup and serving as the LA Galaxy president during David Beckham’s arrival in Major League Soccer.
