Dejan Joveljic is determined for victory in opposition to LA Galaxy as Sporting Kansas Metropolis put together to host the striker’s former facet in MLS.
Serbia ahead Joveljic scored the winner final yr because the Galaxy clinched the MLS Cup with a 2-1 victory over the New York Crimson Bulls.
The pair parted methods within the aftermath of the Galaxy’s sixth league title, nevertheless, with Joveljic shifting to hitch Kansas Metropolis.
“Lastly, every part paid off: It was a tremendous journey, and we lastly received it,” Joveljic stated of final season’s success, talking to the league’s official web site.
“To be sincere, we had an amazing staff final season, we did some superb issues; we didn’t lose a recreation at residence, which is a tremendous achievement.
“After that, I felt that I want one thing extra.”
#SportingKC pic.twitter.com/PaKDDWu1c1
— Dejan Joveljić (@JoveljicDejan) April 27, 2025
Each side have struggled for type because the Galaxy’s 2024 glory, with the pair sitting as the underside two groups within the Western Convention.
Kansas Metropolis are second-bottom after their 2-1 defeat at FC Cincinnati, whereas Greg Vanney’s facet – who’ve simply three factors to their title – are winless all season after their 4-2 defeat to Portland Timbers final day trip.
Joveljic shall be in no temper to do his outdated facet a favour at Mercy Park, although says he would hold his celebrations muted if he does handle to attain.
“I simply wish to win,” he stated. “Sure, I play in opposition to my mates, in opposition to my brothers, in opposition to the coach who introduced me there, and all the fellows there. It’s going to be particular, however I’ve nothing greater than to win.
“I wish to show myself as soon as extra, and it’s going to be fascinating – and hopefully it’s going to be an amazing recreation.
“If I rating, there isn’t a likelihood I do one thing loopy. Even when I have a good time, everybody is aware of how a lot I like LA and coach Greg [Vanney] and all the fellows – in order that’s not necessary.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Sporting Kansas Metropolis – Daniel Salloi
Daniel Salloi shall be one for the Galaxy to regulate, together with his 4 objectives this MLS marketing campaign solely bettered by Joveljic (5) amongst Sporting gamers.
The Hungary worldwide failed to search out the web final day trip, however scored twice within the 5-3 win over San Jose Earthquakes within the recreation beforehand.
LA Galaxy – Christian Ramirez
Christian Ramirez ended a five-match streak with no purpose throughout all competitions by discovering the goal within the defeat to the Timbers.
The Galaxy ahead leads the scoring charts this season in MLS for his facet, with 4 objectives in 9 video games after scoring in three straight video games throughout March.
CR17 is your April Participant of the Month pres. by @Yaamava pic.twitter.com/pJFcDzktFs
— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) Could 1, 2025
MATCH PREDICTION – LA GALAXY WIN
The Galaxy might have endured a woeful marketing campaign thus far, however the Opta supercomputer swayed in direction of an away victory throughout 10,000 pre-match simulations.
Certainly, the guests received each conferences with Kansas Metropolis final season after profitable solely two of the earlier 16 conferences courting again to October 2015 (D7 L7).
The Galaxy’s final three-match profitable streak over Kansas Metropolis got here in 2005-06, although they might fancy their probabilities of replicating that right here.
Sporting’s defeat to Cincinnati marked their 14th loss within the final 17 matches in all competitions courting again to mid-September (W2 D1).
They’ve additionally allowed a number of objectives in 14 of these 17 matches, together with the final three in a row, however the Galaxy’s type means this is not going to be a routine win by any means.
Vanney’s facet are one among 5 groups within the post-shootout period to go winless of their first 10 MLS matches of a season.
They’ve just one longer winless run at any time in a season in membership historical past, a 12-match streak in June-September 2008, a feat they are going to be determined to keep away from this yr.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Sporting Kansas Metropolis win – 31.5%
Draw – 25.3%
LA Galaxy win – 43.2%