LA Galaxy against NY Red Bulls: the Belgian accent of the MLS final: “We know how good we are,” assures Vanzeir

Tuesday 03rd December 2024 09:47 AM

But, during this 2024 season, the former residents of Belgian D1 also showed what they are made of. Proof by example.

LA Galaxy: a Pro League attack

Joveljic and Paintsil get along like thieves. ©Bailey Holiver

Dejan Joveljic didn’t really make an impression on Anderlecht. Arriving on loan during the 2020 winter transfer window, the Serbian played five short matches, for a goal and an assist. But Joveljic lives again, in the club highlighted by David Beckham. After recovering in Austria, he arrived in California in August 2021 and signed a four and a half year contract. The former purple flop has 40 goals and 17 assists in 112 games, including a goal in the Conference final this weekend.

Joseph Paintsil arrived from Genk in February, signing a four-year contract. For his first season in California, the Ghanaian, who has designated player status ($4,182,000 per season), scored 13 goals and provided 11 assists in 33 games. A goal and the title, the transfer of 8.5 million will then be reimbursed.

NY Red Bulls: Vanzeir woke up in the playoffs

7th in the Eastern Conference, the Red Bulls were not given much chance at the start of these playoffs. But Dante Vanzeir’s team took out, in turn, the defending champion Columbus, before eliminating NYCFC in the Hudson River derby and taking the measure of Orlando. All, please, away from home, with the lowest-ranked club visiting the one that fared better during the regular season.

On a personal level, Vanzeir experienced a real crossing of the desert in terms of goals (eighteen games without scoring) but the former Unionist had the good taste to work throughout the season, delivering the necessary assists. And if he woke up in the playoffs, scoring against Columbus but also against NYCFC, the Red Devil has an honorable record of 6 goals and 11 assists. If he could increase these figures and offer an additional contribution and the club’s first MLS Cup, this Saturday: it would help to forget his stormy arrival in MLS. “As players, we have to believe in itassured Vanzeir before the weekend. And we know what we are capable of. We know how good we are. We like being the underdogs but also the fact that we weren’t necessarily given chances at the time of the playoffs. We also draw our energy from there.”