Sang Bin Jeong made a significant impact in Minnesota United's Decision Day victory over St. Louis CITY, coming off the bench in the 68th minute. Just four minutes later, the South Korean international found the net, kickstarting a stellar second-half performance that earned him a brace and a spot on the final Team of the Matchday lineup for the 2024 regular season.
His first goal of the night was impressive not only for the finish but for the teamwork involved. All three substitutes who entered in the 68th minute played a part in converting a beautifully orchestrated goal. Tani Oluwaseyi stretched the opposition's defense with a vertical run, laying off a long ball to Franco Fragapane. Fragapane, making an inverted run, delivered a perfectly placed cross to the feet of the hard-charging Sang Bin, who did the rest.
Although CITY managed to pull a goal back shortly afterward, Sang Bin continued to make the most of his limited minutes. In the 84th minute, he added the fourth and final goal for the Loons to cap off a huge Decision Day victory when the speedy winger was able to swipe possession away from St Louis on the Loons’ half of the pitch, before proceeding to break through CITY’s first line of defense. After dropping off the ball to Oluwaseyi, Sang Bin would once again find himself with a full head of steam as he crashed the box. While Tani may have had his own opening to find the net, he chose the unselfish response and rewarded Sang Bin’s hard work by setting him up to secure his first-ever MLS brace.
Not only was this an exciting evening in terms of the club’s playoff seeding, it was also a well-deserved payoff for the player himself. During a season in which he was tasked with learning to play a new position, all while showcasing a tireless workrate and further developing his finishing touch, it's a fantastic sight to see all Sang Bin’s time and effort take him to new heights.
Well done, Sang Bin! That’s the kind of performance the Loons will need as their playoff run approaches
MLS Team of the Matchday for Matchday no.38:
F: Sang Bin Jeong (MIN), Luis Suárez (MIA), Lionel Messi (MIA)
M: Caden Clark (MTL), Brandt Bronico (CLT), Eduard Atuesta (LAFC), Diego Luna (RSL)
D: Malte Amundsen (CLB), Daniel Steres (HOU), Marlon (LAFC)
GK: Brad Guzan (ATL)
Coach: Rob Valentino (ATL)
Bench: Elliot Panicco (NSH), Yeimar (SEA), Jordi Alba (MIA), Zan Kolmanic (ATX), Emil Forsberg (RBNY), Aziel Jackson (CLB), Saba Lobjanidze (ATL), Antony (POR), Sam Surridge (NSH)
