The LA Galaxy won a record-extending sixth MLS Cup title with a 2-1 victory over the New York Red Bulls on Saturday, with their triumph motivated by Riqui Puig's injury. 

The Galaxy found themselves two goals in front after 13 minutes thanks to strikes from Joseph Paintsil and Dejan Joveljic before Sean Nealis reduced the deficit. 

Greg Vanney's side were able to hang on to seal the victory after the break, with many of the Galaxy players paying tribute to the absent Puig. 

The Spaniard missed Saturday's showpiece after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in their Western Conference final victory over the Seattle Sounders. 

Puig had been instrumental for the Galaxy this season, registering 31 goal involvements (17 goals, 14 assists) across all competitions. 

He also created more chances (70) than any of his Galaxy team-mates, who dedicated their victory to Puig. 

"It’s really special," said Mark Delgado. “When Riqui went down in the last game, and that final whistle blew, we were all happy. But to see him go down, we all felt so sad for him.

"It was just more of a motivation and another reason to step out there and win. A brother of ours went down, and we got to win this thing. We’re so happy to win this for him.”

After opening the scoring in the ninth minute, Paintsil was swarmed by his team-mates after tucking his shot past the onrushing Carlos Coronel.

But among the madness, the Ghanaian looked to the bench to grab Puig’s jersey and raise it toward the Galaxy faithful, with Joveljic following suit after his strike. 

“This guy is unbelievable. One of the best players in the league, Riqui," added Diego Fagundez. “And today showed, even though he wasn’t on the field, we’re a family in here.

"We’re with each other so much that we’re like brothers. And it doesn’t matter if someone goes down, we’re all together. And today, we did it for him, and we did it for ourselves.”

“The first message that he said before we were in the huddle was ‘don’t do it for me, do it for each other,’ and that’s the right kind of mentality we want to have. 

"He, as a player, he deserves everything. I know this is what he wanted.”

Puig was in the stands to support his side during the match, and despite not being able to help on the pitch, the Spaniard expressed his gratitude to his team-mates. 

“Honestly, I’m very happy," Puig told MLS El Resumen. “It’s been a very complicated week for me, but people are giving me a lot of support, sending me messages.

"I apologise for not being able to respond to almost anybody because it’s been really complicated for me to face this type of injury. 

"I was very afraid of it, even more so for nine months, to wait for this match. And I think today the team played spectacularly.”