Three X Factors for the LA Galaxy in MLS Cup with Puig out

2. Either of the two other members of the Killer P's

Gabriel Pec and Joseph Paintsil set records as newcomers this year in the league. During their first season with the Los Angeles Galaxy, the team benefited from both their scoring abilities and their passing prowess.

Combined, they scored 26 goals and recorded 24 assists. That's 50 points from a dynamic duo that weren't even a part of Major League Soccer before this season.

The long-term signings also showed the LA Galaxy brass that they have confidence these two will be apart of the future success of this franchise. Afterall, they have made it to nine MLS Cup Finals prior to this one. After losing their first three, they have won five of their last six trips.

This postseason, Pec has tallied three goals and three assists. It would not be a suprise for him to add to either total during Saturday's big stage contest.

Paintsil has just as many goals as Pec during these playoffs but just one goal. Perhaps his biggest game of the regular season came in mid-July against the Portland Timbers. The Galaxy won 3-2 as Paintsil netted one of the three scores and assisted on the other two.

That type of involvement was on display again when the Galaxy hosted Minnesota United FC in the Western Conference Semifinals. In the 6-2 blowout, Paintsil had his first multi-score game of his MLS career while adding an assist.

Expectations are surely present for not just one of these stars, but wisely both.