Will this be the Justin Haak revenge recreation?
The previous New York Metropolis FC star didn’t consider that, however Haak is aware of that it is going to be “unusual” dealing with the membership that he’s spent his total profession enjoying for on Sunday together with his new group, the LA Galaxy. within the offseason after contract talks with NYCFC didn’t produce a brand new deal.
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“It’s undoubtedly gonna be unusual enjoying in opposition to them, particularly the primary recreation of this season,” Haak informed The Submit in a dialog forward of the season opener. “I believe it’s a bit of extra motivation for me going into this recreation, however that’s all it truly is for me. Just a bit bit further motivation on prime of an already thrilling season opener with a brand new group.”
Haak signed a one-year take care of the Galaxy in December that features a membership possibility for June 2027.
LA Galaxy midfielder Justin Haak (15) leaves the sector after the MLS preseason match in opposition to Chicago Hearth FC at Empire Polo Membership. Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Photographs
The transfer was a big loss for NYCFC because it noticed one in every of its homegrown abilities depart for an additional membership.
Haak got here up by way of New York Metropolis FC’s academy system and performed seven seasons for the membership, together with enjoying a vital position of their run to the Japanese Convention Finals final 12 months.
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Whereas Haak stated leaving New York wasn’t a simple determination, “making an attempt one thing new” performed an element in his determination to signal with LA. He additionally pointed to the best way contract talks performed out as a motive he in the end left, telling The Submit that the best way issues had been dealt with “took a toll.”
“I might say up till the very finish of the season, New York Metropolis wasn’t actually pushing,” Haak stated about talks. “They did ship presents, however nothing that ever once I checked out it was like, that is simply too good. I’ve to take this provide. Extra like they had been making an attempt to do the naked minimal up till the very finish of the season, once they lastly realized how different groups had been.”
Sporting director Todd Dunivant, who nonetheless hadn’t formally taken over the position, made the provide to fly out to fulfill with Haak, however the 24-year-old stated that by the point that supply was made, he had basically determined what he was going to do.
And there have been no conversations between Haak and Dunivant earlier than the footballer made the choice, the previous defined.
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“There was a small a part of me that wished to attempt one thing new, attempt to step outta my consolation zone a bit of bit, simply because I’ve been in New York my complete life,” Haak stated. “I wouldn’t say it was a simple determination for me to go away. I might have stayed if they might have given me a suggestion that I assumed was very robust and one thing that there’s no approach I might have stated no to.”
Inter Miami ahead Tadeo Allende, left, scores his aspect’s first objective previous New York Metropolis FC midfielder Justin Haak throughout the first half of an MLS Japanese Convention last soccer match, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. AP
He added: “From the locker room and the teaching employees, there’s not a foul phrase I can say about these guys. It’s actually simply how they dealt with the state of affairs as a complete, I believe took a toll on it.”
Now in LA, Haak is in a job that’s much like what he excelled in whereas in New York — being versatile between enjoying middle again and midfield.
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He has already performed preseason matches at each positions, and he nonetheless feels “very comfy” in each roles.
“I really feel like we now have a extremely robust group right here in Galaxy,” Haak stated. “Now we have an opportunity to do one thing particular.”
Whereas Haak won’t be with NYCFC any longer, he stated he nonetheless plans to assist them from afar, joking that he’ll nonetheless have a ardour for the membership lengthy after his enjoying days are over.
And, in a message to the followers, he thanked them for his or her years of assist.
“I actually respect all of the assist they gave me all through my time there. And at all times I’ll be with them supporting NYCFC aside from this weekend,” he stated. “However apart from that, I’ll at all times be with them, supporting them.”