The Galaxy fans were more than happy to welcome Juninho back to
StubHub Center, even if only for one night.
By Ivan Yeo
It was a reunion of sorts at the StubHub Center.
There was a lot of intrigue surrounding Saturday’s match between the Los Angeles Galaxy and Chicago Fire. For one, soccer fans in and around the greater Los Angeles Area got their first look at German legend Bastian Schweinsteiger, but for Galaxy fans, it was another midfielder currently wearing the red kit that certainly warranted all sorts of attention.
Saturday’s match marked the return of former Galaxy midfielder Juninho to StubHub Center. It was a bittersweet reunion of sorts, as the Galaxy got to see, and to a larger degree, thank Juninho for all the contributions he gave to the Galaxy in his six seasons wearing the LA kit. Still, it had be a little painful for Galaxy fans to see a player that gave so much to the Galaxy wearing another MLS kit.
“It was a very emotional moment walking out the field and seeing all those fans again,” Juninho said. “The crowd, all the supporters, all the environment for me was very special.”
Juninho first arrived in Los Angeles prior to the start of the 2010 season. Juninho was one of three players loaned to LA from Sao Paulo, and Juninho soon started to establish himself in the central midfield. Juninho also soon started to establish a reputation of having a powerful yet accurate right foot, which was put display the first two games of the 2011 season, as he scored a long-range volley in the first game, a nationally televised 1-0 win over Seattle back on March 15, followed by similar strike five days later, which was an equalizer in LA’s 1-1 draw with New England on a rainy, windy evening at home.
Juninho also formed a formidable partnership with David Beckham in the central midfield, as his ability to play both sides of the field perfectly complemented Beckham’s deep passing threats. Juninho’s contributions enabled Los Angeles to have a banner season in 2011, as they won the second of back-to-back Supporters Shields in 2011, won the MLS Cup title in front of its home fans on a soggy Sunday evening and advanced out of group play in the CONCACAF Champions League. The Galaxy also did not lose a single game at home in all competitions in 2011.
Juninho at first signed a three-year deal to return to Sao Paulo, but eventually worked out another loan deal to return to the Galaxy for the 2012 season. That turned out to be another wise decision for both club and player, as Juninho turned in his best season, scoring seven goals and going through a month-long stretch where he looked absolutely unstoppable. His banner season in 2012 helped the Galaxy recover from a brutal start and LA eventually caught fire in the playoffs and won its second straight MLS Cup.
Juninho’s stats dipped a little bit the next two seasons, though he was still a key player in the Galaxy midfield. The addition of fellow Brazilian countryman Marcelo Sarvas, who was more of a defensive player, enabled Juninho to play more of an offensive role on the team, and the two became just as formidable of a CM pairing as Beckham and Juninho were. Juninho had one key moment in the 2014 Western Conference finals, as his goal in the second half of the second leg against Seattle was more than enough to send the Galaxy onto the MLS Cup final, where LA defeated the Revolution to win its third MLS Cup in five years and fifth overall in franchise history.
Sarvas was traded to Colorado in the offseason, but the Galaxy had hoped Juninho could form another formidable partnership, this time with Steven Gerrard. However, it became apparent that Juninho and Gerrard were not a good fit, and LA, hoping to pair Gerrard with a more defensive minded midfielder, made the decision to move Juninho to Tijuana. Juninho featured in 20 matches for the Xolos, and Tijuana transferred him to the Fire for the 2017 season. In Chicago, Juninho finds himself as part of a five-man midfield, with Juninho playing alongside Dax McCarty and the both of them playing behind Schweinsteiger. Nevertheless, Juninho, at least this week, admitted to being a little reflective of his time in LA as Saturday’s match approached.
“It was special, Juninho said. “When I was in the tunnel, a lot of memories came into my head for sure.”
The Galaxy fans certainly game Juninho a warm welcome. His name was cheered when announced in the starting lineup and he also received an ovation from the crowd when he was subbed off late in the second half.
Chicago Fire
