On the same day the Galaxy officially confirmed Zlatan Ibrahimovic would be returning for 2019, they also announced midfielder Juninho, a starter on the team’s last three MLS Cup champions, would be back as well.
And while Ibrahimovic is clearly the bigger signing, the acquisition of Juninho, a fan favorite in his six seasons in Carson, reestablishes a link to the team’s glory days. Unless the Galaxy re-sign midfielder Baggio Husidic, Juninho will be the only player to start training camp next month who was also in uniform when the team won its last league championship.
The Galaxy haven’t appeared in an MLS Cup final since that 2014 game, the longest title-game drought in franchise history.