Lee Dong-gyeong leads Ulsan’s K League 1 surge after World Cup bench role

The true midfielder is on a roll in the K League 1 this season after failing to make an appearance in Mexico over the summer.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 gave Lee Dong-gyeong zero minutes. He has spent the weeks since making every minute count toward a second straight year of MVP.

The Ulsan HD man made a dramatic late entry into Korea’s final 26-man squad for the World Cup and impressed during the national team’s pretournament training camp in the United States. He set up a goal with a deft cross in a friendly against Trinidad and Tobago and scored directly from a left-footed free kick against El Salvador.

With Lee Kang-in competing for the same position, however, Lee Dong-gyeong never got onto the pitch and watched from the bench as Korea was eliminated in the group stage.

Hopes of a summer move to Stoke City in England’s second-tier Championship were also dashed after the tournament.

Rather than slipping into a slump, however, Lee Dong-gyeong has been one of the K League’s best performers since returning from the World Cup.

He has contributed four goals and three assists over his last five matches to record at least one goal or assist in every game. His nine goals this season rank second on Ulsan behind teammate Yago Cariello, who has 11, while Lee Dong-gyeong leads the team with six assists. He ranks first on the team in total goal contributions.

“After the World Cup, I felt so drained that I didn’t even want to get out of bed,” Lee Dong-gyeong said. “But I tried to pull myself together because I didn’t want that side of myself to win.”

Ulsan’s manager, Kim Hyun-seok, reassured the midfielder after his return from the World Cup.

“When he came back after the World Cup, I encouraged him by telling him that I had complete faith in him,” Kim said. “He really wanted to go to Europe, but I think he regained his form after changing his mindset and deciding to take the lead in driving the team forward.”

Lee Dong-gyeong’s resurgence has coincided with a winning streak for Ulsan. The club has won three straight K League 1 matches, beating FC Seoul 3-1 on July 26, FC Anyang 3-1 on Aug. 2 and Pohang Steelers 2-0 on Saturday.

The run has propelled Ulsan into second place with 11 wins, four draws and seven losses. The club trails first-place FC Seoul, which has 13 wins, five draws and four losses, by seven points.

Lee Dong-gyeong won the K League 1 MVP award last year despite Ulsan finishing ninth. His current streak has put him in contention to win the honor for a second consecutive season.

“We had a disappointing result last year, and I worked very hard to make sure we didn’t end up with the same result this year,” Lee Dong-gyeong said. “As I communicated with the other players, we climbed to second place and are now chasing FC Seoul.”

For Lee Dong-gyeong, being the team in pursuit may actually work in Ulsan’s favor.

“I think I actually feel more comfortable being the one doing the chasing,” he continued. “There is pressure when you’re at the very top. I hope we can work together and finish the season with smiles on our faces.”

Manager Kim has been getting the most out of Lee Dong-gyeong by giving him greater freedom in a false nine role since Ulsan’s match against FC Seoul in July. He starts as the central forward but can drop deeper to receive the ball, while forward Erick Farias and midfielder Lee Jin-hyun operate on the wings.

“Since I’m originally a midfielder, I think defenders get confused when I play as a striker but drop back to receive the ball,” Lee Dong-gyeong said. “They seem unsure how far they should follow me, so I feel like I can get on the ball more easily.”

“When I pick up speed and move forward into attacking areas, it creates chances for me to shoot,” he said. “I wouldn’t say the role fits me perfectly, but for now, I feel like opposing players haven’t quite figured out how to defend against it.”

Ulsan is set to host Gangwon FC in the 23rd round of the K League 1 on Sunday.

BY LEE HAY-JUNE [lee.jiwon10@joongang.co.kr]