Dejan Joveljic scored six goals last season and it was looked at as a slump, considering his 2022 season.
In 2022, his first full season with the Galaxy, he scored 11 goals in 32 games.
Before the start of this season, Joveljic said he wanted to return to being a double-digit goal scorer. He wouldn’t say a specific number, but he’s certainly on his way.
With Wednesday’s second-half goal in the 2-2 draw against Minnesota United FC, Joveljic now has seven goals, already eclipsing last year’s total.
“I mean, my confidence is always high,” he said. “But it’s even better when we create a lot of chances when we play good and when I score. So this season is different story. We are creating more and I’m scoring more. It’s (as) simple as that.
“I mean, a lot of people are going to say that the goals I’m scoring are easy, so first of all, it’s not easy to be in that position. Secondly, it’s not easy to score. Even though it looks so easy.”
Joveljic had been bothered by a hip injury. The Galaxy (5-2-6, 21 points) held him off the training field for nearly two weeks, forcing him out against Austin FC on April 27 and Seattle on May 5.
“Obviously I didn’t play 10 days and I played almost 17 minutes against Real Salt Lake (May 11). I was feeling very good that game,” he said. “The coaches made the decision for me (that) it’s better to play the game from the bench and I feel every day better and better and hopefully after a few more games I’m going to be back.”
Joveljic again came off the bench Wednesday, entering in the 59th minute and scoring in the 61st.
Joveljic could have had a second that would have sealed the win and he stressed that during Wednesday’s postgame press conference.
“I had very, very good chance … I should have scored that ball a hundred percent,” he said. “Those balls, I score 10 out of 10. The second ball maybe was even easier and I said already, I should have gone left side – I had open position from the goalkeeper was not good but he got lucky.”
Joveljic and the Galaxy conclude their stretch of three games in eight days with a trip to Charlotte FC on Saturday. Wednesday’s game was also Joveljic’s 100th career appearance with the Galaxy.
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“Confidence is always important for strikers, but he’s got guys who are getting deep and getting behind, which is opening spaces that make his runs a little bit clearer to the front of the goal,” Galaxy coach Greg Vanney said. “I think it’s a combination of things. I think, you know, getting the right pieces around him has helped, which is what we’ve always said, but him being able to do the things that help him be a good goal scorer are all there for him.”
GALAXY at CHARLOTTE FC
When: 4:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, N.C.
How to watch: Apple TV (MLS Season Pass)
