LA Galaxy x LAFC

Puig scored the game-winning goal for the Galaxy in front of an MLS record crowd of 82,110 on a lovely California night. The Spaniard was instrumental in the Galaxy's 2-1 win, scoring one and setting up another.

In the 26th minute, Tyler Boyd scored a beauty to give the Galaxy the lead. After picking up the ball in the center of the field, Puig took off down the middle of the field, out of Acosta's way. Puig saw Boyd running free in the penalty area and fed him the ball. Boyd spun away from the opposition and fired a beautiful curler that easily found the back of the goal, making it 1-0 for the Galaxy.

Ilie Sanchez's header from a corner kick gave LAFC a tying goal only minutes into the second half. Sanchez scored with a header from a Tillman cross, beating the incoming Klinsman, who had replaced Bond at halftime. The LAFC faithful could feel the atmosphere change. They certainly felt anything was possible for their side at this moment.

Boyd helped set up Puig for a goal in the 72nd minute as Puig finished off a cross from the winger. When LAFC attempted to set up a corner kick, the Galaxy countered under the direction of Douglas Costa, who shifted the play to the other side of the field and onto Boyd. Puig raced through the center and slotted home Boyd's pinpoint cross.

In the same way that he had sent the ball into the back of the net on the field, Puig sent the crowd into rapturous cheers as well, as the Galaxy took the lead 2-1. After an offside Vela goal later in the match, the Galaxy would walk away with all three points in a historic MLS match that no one will soon forget.

[Photography by Darwin Rosales]