When the Dane returned to Aspmyra in 2024 for his second round in the Glimt shirt, there were stormy cheers. First Jens Petter Hauge, then Zinckernagel. Then followed the disappointment with the Dane choosing the path to MLS and the Chicago Fire. This is history, now we are delighted with the 30-year-old’s great success in Lionel Messi’s league. Especially when the background from Bodø/Glimt is highlighted as a factor behind the success in MLS.
12 goals, 13 assists and an impressive club record at the Chicago Fire in MLS speak for themselves. The selection to the prestigious All-Star team has also helped cement his status as one of the biggest profiles in the league – in his debut season.
READ: Manchester United sell Kobbie Mainoo after demands for pay rise
We let the American journalist Alex Calabrese describe the former Glimt star’s entry into MLS, written in July.
“Philip Zinckernagel came to Chicago Fire from the Norwegian club FK Bodø/Glimt, and did not necessarily come to the city with the greatest expectations. Although he was expected to play, the Dane was not the biggest addition in the Fire’s offseason.”
“Zinckernagel didn’t come to the club as a DP (foreign stars outside the salary restrictions), but he performs as one. Six months after arriving, he is statistically on track for the best individual season in club history and preparing for the MLS All-Star Game. A second-half assist to Jack Elliott last weekend in Montréal secured a 2-0 win north of the border, but it also made him the first-ever player to have a season with 10 goals and 10 assists for the Four in MLS.”
Then comes the advantage of playing for the club north of the Arctic Circle.
“One of the biggest changes European players coming to MLS will have to go through is the incredible travel load teams are experiencing. Although Zinckernagel is no stranger to using flights to domestic away games – Bodø/Glimt is north of the Arctic Circle and flies to all away games – the distances in MLS are far, far greater.”
“Zinckernagel has not only been good away from home, but he has also flourished. In fact, he’s made one of the best runs ever by an away player in MLS history.”
Read on F7: Rodrygo has landed
The Dane has a lot to thank Bodø/Glimt for.
