Zlatan vs Vela: the path to MLS glory

The 2019 MLS MVP race will go down as one of the most talked-about in the history of the league. On one side, you have a global icon, who’s made a splash in every team he’s played for throughout his career. In the other, you have a record-setting goal scorer, who has revived his career by taking a dip in Major League Soccer.

Each superstar brings something to the table. The question at hand is: ultimately, who will lead their team to victory?

Zlatan’s path to greatness

Ibrahimovic’s career has taken him all over the world. The excentric Swiss has played for the biggest clubs on the planet; Ajax, Juventus, Barcelona, Manchester United, PSG, Inter and AC Milan. When you stop and think of those teams, you can’t help but notice that these are all global soccer powers. They have a combined 24 Champions League trophies, and some of the greatest players of all time have played for those teams.

Despite the amount of star power that has passed through the teams that Zlatan has played with, very seldom has any of them left a mark like Ibra. From spectacular goals to controversial interviews, Ibrahimovic has always captured the headlines anywhere he sets foot. Maybe it’s his six-foot-five frame or his even bigger personality that makes him stand out, but the fact of the matter is that he is never inconspicuous.

Vela’s destiny for greatness

Charlie Candle’s story is a little different than the Z man. Vela’s brother, Alejandro, was a professional soccer player, and though some may argue that his brother helped pave the way for him to get a shot in Mexico, you can also say that he owes most of his success to himself.

As a 16-year-old, Carlos was part of Guadalajara’s youth squad, and Jesus Chucho Ramirez selected him to the Under-17 Mexican team. That team was lead by Vela and former Galaxy star Giovani dos Santos who at the time was part of Barcelona. El Bombardero, as he would later be known by and Mexico went on to win the country’s first-ever World Cup title in any category. Also, Vela went on to win the Golden Boot, and EPL powerhouse Arsenal would eventually sign him.

Vela appeared to be destined for greatness, but things would not go according to plan. Cracklitos did play for Arsenal, and he scored a couple of incredible golazos. Still, in the process, the Gunners also loaned him out to Celta de Vigo, Salamanca, Osasuna, West Brom, and Real Sociedad, which is where he would find a home eventually.

Fast-forward to MLS

Vela went on to have a decent career with La Real, and Ibra, well most of us know what he was up to during his time in European soccer.

Zlatan and Vela arrived in the league the same year, but there was no question of who was leading in star power. Ibrahimovic dominated the headlines and instantly made a splash. Appearances in talks shows and commercials soon followed, everywhere you looked, the Z man was present.

For his part, Vela slowly but surely settled-in with his new team and eventually begin scoring and scoring and scoring. And he hasn’t looked back.

Ibrahimovic has played in 57 games and has scored 52 times, eight of those goals have been against LAFC. Including his first-ever in MLS and El Trafico, which will probably go down as one of the most spectacular in the history of the league. The acrobatics and athletism that Zlatan possesses late in his career even as he approaches the age of 40 is something out of this world.

Ibra’s words have circled the globe; it’s no secret that his wittiness and ability to speak openly to the media has made him a must-see one-person show. Including his comments when asked Vela scoring fired him up, and if he thought he had to prove that he is the best player in the MLS: “Please, do not offend me. I do not need to prove myself, even if I did not score the goals today. I have a lot of respect, Vela, he is a good player, but you did one mistake. You compared him to me. That was your biggest mistake.” Note for all journalists; don’t make a mistake and compare Zlatan to anyone.

Carlitos hasn’t fared that bad either, he’s played in 60 games and has scored 48 goals, seven of those versus the Galaxy. Vela’s left foot has become one of the most lethal weapons in Major League Soccer. His ability to place the ball as far away from the goalkeepers have given defenders nightmares while trying to guard El Bombardero.

This season, however, has been extra special. Both players elevated their game and have been playing lights out. But, the reality is, only one can win the MVP award, and most expect Vela to be the winner.

Vela is not as provocative as his Galaxy counterpart and typically shares a lot of the credit with his teammates. “It’s always special to break a record for myself, but without the team, it’s impossible to break it, so it’s a record for everybody.” He said this after breaking Sebastian Giovinco’s record for combined goals and assists in one season.

Some fans of the Mexican National team are hoping that one day, he brings that philosophy back to El Tri.

El Trafico: Galaxy hold the edge

Ibrahimovic and Vela have played in El Trafico five times. The Galaxy has outscored LAFC 13 goals to 11, and Zlatan’s side has won two and tied three times.

The matches have all been sellouts and have delivered incredible performances and drama. The Galaxy fans have been able to enjoy the success of their team, but LAFC fans are hoping that their very first victory against their neighbor comes in, arguably one of the biggest games the league has seen in recent memory.

The Galacticos are coming off an impressive road win over Minnesota and hope that the momentum carries into this edition of the LA Derby. LAFC, for their part, has been able to get rest for their players and will 100 percent fit.

Zlatan or Vela?

After going around in circles and telling most of you things that you may have already know or not? I’ve come full circle to the same question: who will lead their team to victory?

Both players have exceptional talents, but this season Carlos has been better. Vela is not a bigger star than Zlatan by any stretch of the imagination, but it’s not hard to argue that Vela has been the better soccer player this season. However, Zlatan is as close as it gets to having a soccer god on the field; all it takes is one motion from him to change the game dramatically.

Because the game will be so close, I feel Ibrahimovic will be the difference maker and will ultimately lead the team from Carson to victory. Yes, it will be a hard-fought game that will likely go into extra-time or even penalties, but Zlatan, in the end, will end up with a Top 10 play of the night, which will give the Galaxy the edge because that’s what Zlatan does.