JULIAN PLACIAS POSITION Forward Pronunciation: “Hoo-lee-in Pla-see-us” Height: 6-3 Birthday: 4-6-06 Hometown (Affiliation): Orange County, CA (USA) Club profile: https://www.northcarolinafc.com/roster/julian-placias/ MLS Next Pro profile: https://www.mlsnextpro.com/players/julian-placias/ Westerlo is finalizing a deal to sign forward Julian Placias. The 18-year-old joined North Carolina from the LA Galaxy academy this winter. He helped lead the Galaxy to win MLS Next Cup, scoring a tournament-best six goals. https://theathletic.com/5436540/2024/04/22/mls-transfer-deadline-galaxy-puig/ (sub required)
It will be fun to have another American at Westerlo. If they treat him like they did Yow, he should have a well managed, clear progression.
Westerlo v Cercle Brugge 28 Jul 13:15 EST Not on ESPN + It is unclear what is the plan with Palacias yet. I would be very surprised to see him jump into the first team this weekend. I would assume that the plan is to have him start with the U21s, gain match experience, then move up. He only has 17 total matches between MLS Next Pro, USL C and US Open Cup, less than 600 total minutes.
The U21 Team has played two recent friendlies with Dutch competition. NAC Breda U21 and PSV U21. Placias did not feature in either match. He is not listed as part of the U18 team, nor the U21 team. The regular season starts in a few weeks, we will see then.
He is listed on the website as a First team player. He did not play with the U21s on 11 Aug. It might simply be that he is training and not ready for the first team yet.
Genk vs Westerlo 30 Aug 14:45 EST Not on ESPN + No clue where he is. There has been almost zero word about him since he signed. There is a U21 match today as well vs. RAAL La Louviere U21. He could show up there, I guess.
Seems to have done well with the U23s: Julian Placias (‘06) 🇺🇸🇦🇷 has scored 4 goals in 2 friendlies for Westerlo’s U23s and is in the matchday squad for the first time today for their first team. Should be in consideration for the 🇺🇸 U20 World Cup squad. https://t.co/yn2c49TlVs— American Ultras Talk (@ameriultrastalk) August 30, 2024
The Croky Cup Round of 32 Draw has been held. Westerlo will host RWDM (Molenbeek) of the Challenger Pro League. Their could potentially be 4 YA's on the field for that match.
Anderlecht vs Westerlo 14 Sep 14:45 EST On ESPN + This is a really good match up. Placias could/should make the bench.
Westerlo vs Antwerp 21 Sep 12:15 EST Not on ESPN + With Yow out, this might open up a spot for Placias.
Westerlo vs Club Brugge 19 Oct 10:00 EST Not on ESPN + Pretty important match for Westerlo. They could bump up into 3rd with a win and will want to stay in top top 6 spots. Club Brugge is tied with them with 15 points, but have been playing very well in the league. Placias is hard to nail down. He has been playing with the U23s, but their matches do not show up on the Academy page of Westerlo, and results are hard to find.