OBETZ, Ohio – Gyasi Zardes returns to where it all began this weekend, and when he steps onto the StubHub Center field to play against the LA Galaxy for the first time, he’ll do so on amicable terms with his hometown club.
After five pro seasons in LA – which included an MLS Cup win, an MLS All-Star Game appearance and even public murals of his likeness in his childhood neighborhood of Hawthorne, California – the Galaxy Homegrown striker was traded in January to Columbus Crew SC in a deal that sent Ola Kamara the opposite direction.
Since that trade, Zardes has revitalized his career. His 11 goals midway through 2018 already represent the second-highest tally of his career, and he’s said that he’s loving life in Columbus.
Perhaps that’s why, when Columbus visit LA this weekend (Saturday, 10:30 pm ET | TV and streaming info), there won’t be any hard feelings coming from Zardes.
“This is the club that allowed me to play professional soccer,” he said at Crew SC training Thursday. “I have a lot of history with this club, and I’m really looking forward to this game. It’s a huge honor to play for the Columbus Crew, and I cherish every moment playing at the StubHub Center.
“I appreciate that club [and] my community. No matter how things go, I’ll always have respect for that organization.”
Zardes said he’ll have “a ton” of family and friends at the game, and said he’s happy to be returning amicably to the city and team he was so fond of.
“You’ve got to just be thankful for the opportunities, and they presented a lot of opportunities to [me],” he said of the Galaxy. “So going back is going to be nice. It’s going to be great to see a bunch of old faces, and it’s going to be even better playing against them.”
The striker said he’s been keeping tabs on his old team, and has “watched the majority of their games” this season.
He said he’s not exactly sure why things haven’t clicked for a team loaded with talent but unable to break into the top end of the Western Conference.
“It’s been difficult,” he said. “They have amazing players … but luck hasn’t been on their side, and they’ve struggled with a bunch of injuries, still.”
One thing Zardes won’t have to deal with from the other side of the country is the Galaxy’s addition of global superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
He said he’s not sure how he’d deal with that daunting presence if he were with LA, though that’s not something he has to worry about now.
“I don’t know; I don’t have to think about it,” he said with a laugh. “I’m here.”
While Zardes said there won’t be bad blood between him and the team that traded him away, he made it clear that he would still relish the opportunity to score on them.
“As a striker, yeah, I want to score multiple goals, no matter who I play against,” he said. “I’m a part of the Columbus Crew. So I want to win; I want to score.”
