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Marco Fabian’s up and down season continued, this time with an injury, while Carlos Vela is seemingly running away with the MVP title right now. Here’s what we learned from Week 7.
Marco Fabian can’t catch a break
The Jonathan dos Santos vs. Marco Fabian battle in the midfield wasn’t to be as Fabian had to exit the game midway through the first half through injury in the Galaxy’s 2-0 win over the Philadelphia Union. Fabian seemed to have picked up a knock on his ankle and was seen exiting the stadium in crutches, which was a shame, too, considering that the Union changed their whole formation just for this match.
Marco Fabian left the stadium on crutches and in a boot last night. (h/t Univision). #DOOP pic.twitter.com/b8sMoh4WfX
— The Union Soccer Podcast (@UnionSoccerPod) April 14, 2019
Previously, Fabian had missed two games earlier in the season through suspension, and for a team already limited in its options in the midfield, they better hope this Marco Fabian injury isn’t very serious.
The Galaxy could have the best midfield in MLS
Speaking to media at the end of the game, there was a common theme amongst the Galaxy midfielders and what they thought about their respective performances, everything just seems to be clicking. In fact, Union manager Jim Curtin called Jonathan dos Santos the best player of the game, and teammate Sebastian Lletget had similar words when talking about Jona and their other midfield partner, Joe Corona.
After the 2-0 victory against @PhilaUnion, @jona2santos talks the chemistry he has alongside fellow @LAGalaxy teammates Sebastian Lletget and Joe Corona. #LAvPHI #MexicansAbroad pic.twitter.com/g0VQ1sB8Ni
— Fut Mex Nation (@FutMexNation) April 14, 2019
It’s not just the fact that Jona and Corona are playing the double pivot role in such efficient manner, it’s that their energy is also contagious. Even Zlatan Ibrahimovic was tracking back to help. What Guillermo Barros Schelotto has done with this midfield in such a short amount of time is without question impressive, and we could be seeing Jonathan’s best moments as a player in Major League Soccer. If you are national team manager Gerardo “Tata” Martino right now, you are really liking what you are seeing from one of your midfield options.
Carlos Vela can’t stop scoring
Carlos Vela was on the stat sheet again as Los Angeles Football Club got all three points in their match against Cincinnati FC on Saturday night. What else is there left to say? Vela was instrumental, notching an assist and scoring a goal in LAFC’s 2-0 win over the MLS newcomers.
Yes, you’d expect Vela to regress at some point this season, but it just doesn’t seem like it is happening anytime soon. He is on pace towards having an MVP-calibre season, and his team is reaping in the rewards, sitting at the very top of the standings with 19 points.
To put this in perspective — Josef Martinez won the MVP award last year averaging 0.911 goals and 0.176 assists per game. Vela is averaging 1.14 goals and 0.714 assists per game. Obviously, that could drop off, but what a way to kick this season off.
— Julia Poe (@jpoe24601) April 14, 2019