Los Angeles Galaxy head coach Greg Vanney was full of praise for Marco Reus ahead of their clash with the Vancouver Whitecaps this weekend.
Reus scored both goals for the Galaxy in their 2-1 win over Real Salt Lake last time out, moving them up to 10th in the Western Conference.
The 36-year-old has now directly contributed to seven goals in 10 MLS games this year (four goals, three assists), after registering 12 direct goal involvements in 21 league appearances in 2025.
Vanney believes Reus offers something unique to his Galaxy team, and a quality that must be utilised as much as possible.
"The reality of it is, Marco is our quality when it comes to setting up final actions in our midfield, stuff like that," said Vanney.
"The other guys are grinders. They're hard workers. They're facilitators of the game. But Marco is the creative guy who sees something different.
"For us, he just brings something that nobody else on the field brings for us, and we need that.
"The key for us is that we've got to find moments in the game that we make sure we turn it into a soccer game, and it's not just that we have possession.
"That we give him the ball and give him opportunities to do the things that he does, and it's not always a grind the whole time, because that doesn't suit him all the time.
"But he was still able to find ways to be a difference maker inside of even a tough day like that."
The Whitecaps are in stellar form as four consecutive wins have moved Vancouver up to second in the West, with a game in hand on leaders San Jose Earthquakes.
However, all four of those Vancouver wins have come at home, with this their first away game since March 7, and just their second of the season.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Los Angeles Galaxy – Joseph Paintsil
Joseph Paintsil has scored four career regular-season goals in three matches against Vancouver.
Only Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane (both five) have scored more regular-season goals for the Galaxy against the Whitecaps.
Vancouver Whitecaps – Brian White
Brian White tallied his third brace of the season last time out, recording his 10th career game with two or more goals for Vancouver since joining the club in 2021.
He is one of six MLS players with 10+ multi-goal regular-season games in that time and one of five to score them all with one team.