Riqui Puig steals the show as LA Galaxy thrash Colorado Rapids

A brace from Riqui Puig helped Los Angeles Galaxy thrash Colorado Rapids 5-0 on Saturday to take the lead in the first round of the best-of-three MLS playoffs.
The Galaxy, who lost top spot in the West to Los Angeles FC (LAFC) on the final day of the regular season, also had two goals from Dejan Joveljic and a strike from John Nelson.
The score at half-time was only 1-0 after a Joveljic goal, but the Los Angeles side, the top scorers in the West and third in MLS behind only Inter Miami and Columbus Crew, unleashed all their attacking firepower in a blistering second half.
After this match at the Galaxy's Dignity Health Sports Park, the series now travels to Colorado, where the Rapids (seventh in the West) must win next Friday if they are not to end their season.
The MLS Cup play-offs continue on Sunday with two more first-round ties: Orlando City-Charlotte and LAFC-Vancouver Whitecaps.
October 27, 2024