What happened: Ruiz bent a free kick into the net to put LA Galaxy ahead and open his scoring account with the club. The goal came less than three weeks after his move to Los Angeles and followed his Sept. 13 appearance as a 67th-minute substitute.
Why it matters: LA brought Ruiz in to deepen the midfield, and an early set-piece contribution is an immediate return on that move. With the MLS regular season in its stretch run, goals from recent additions can quickly affect lineup decisions and playoff positioning.
By the numbers: By the numbers: Ruiz completed his move on Sept. 3, was part of a triple change in the 67th minute on Sept. 13, and now has his first goal for the club.
What to watch: Watch whether Ruiz moves into a larger role in the next lineup and stays on dead-ball duties after the free-kick strike.