Cole Campbell Scores Stunning Goal in Elversberg’s 4-1 Triumph over Mainz
American international Cole Campbell made headlines on Friday evening by scoring one of the most remarkable goals of the Bundesliga season, contributing to SV Elversberg’s emphatic 4-1 victory over Mainz 05. After the match, the former Borussia Dortmund player shared his thoughts on his achievement and his upcoming return to his old club.
Entering the match as a second-half substitute, Campbell delivered a sensational finish during injury time. By initiating an attack and receiving the ball from fellow substitute Nicolas Mickelson, the 20-year-old completed the move with an acrobatic goal, pushing Vincent Wagner’s team to a commanding 4-0 lead.
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This goal capped a successful evening for the newly promoted Elversberg, who had already secured the match before halftime with goals from Felix Keidel, Francis Onyeka, and Maurice Krattenmacher. Although Mainz’s Benedict Hollerbach netted a consolation goal, the outcome was never in question.
For Campbell, the goal marked another significant milestone in a career journey that has seen him transition from Borussia Dortmund to Hoffenheim and ultimately to Elversberg. Reflecting on his past, he recalled similar spectacular goals he scored as a child.
Cole Campbell Reflects on Spectacular Finish
“I think I scored a few of these goals back when I was ten years old,” Campbell stated. “But it’s good to score again now, ten years later.”
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His progress at Elversberg has drawn notable attention. As Get German Football News reported following a Bundesliga media roundtable in September, Campbell expressed his experience of settling into his new club after facing challenges at Dortmund.
His return to regular Bundesliga action has coincided with a major milestone in his international career, as Campbell made his senior United States national team debut earlier this month, adding to a year filled with accomplishments.
Campbell Anticipates Emotional Return to Borussia Dortmund
Next Saturday’s Bundesliga match presents Campbell with a unique opportunity, as Elversberg will face Borussia Dortmund, the club where he spent much of his early professional career before moving to Saarland this summer.
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“Yeah, a lot of emotions for me next week, especially playing against my old club,” Campbell remarked. “I think it will feel different than any game I’ve had before. I’m looking forward to it, and we will see what happens.”
Campbell joined Dortmund in 2022 and advanced through their youth system, making his senior Bundesliga debut in the 2024/25 season. His path to regular first-team football became more challenging, leading him to join Hoffenheim on loan in January 2026 before eventually completing a permanent transfer to Elversberg during the summer.
This move allowed him more consistent involvement in the Bundesliga, yet he still holds fond memories of his time at Dortmund.
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“I’m most looking forward to seeing my old teammates and friends,” Campbell said when discussing his return to Dortmund. “I’m friends with a lot of the guys, but I’m especially close to some. It will be good to go back, but in a different jersey, it will feel different.”
American Attacker Has No Point to Prove to Former Club
When asked if he hoped to prove Dortmund underestimated his abilities, Campbell reframed the narrative, choosing to focus on his personal growth and improvement.
“I mean, I’m not focused on what other people think of me,” he explained. “I’m just trying to play the best football I can and improve as a player. Only God’s opinion matters to me, so I will do my best on the pitch and see what happens.”
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His remarks indicate a player who approaches this significant reunion with a steady mindset, avoiding undue pressure about his former club.
Elversberg’s solid start to their first Bundesliga campaign displays their capability to compete with established rivals. Friday’s victory showcased another example, with Campbell contributing a standout moment in the match.
The journey to Dortmund next Saturday will carry heightened emotional significance for him. However, whether or not Campbell will be in Wagner’s starting lineup remains uncertain. After starting the first five league games, he ceded his spot to Tom Zimmerschied, Maurice Krattenmacher, and Lukas Petkov in the last three matches.
Despite this, Campbell has appeared in all SVE matches across all competitions, excluding the matchday six fixture against Augsburg. The newly capped USMNT international also started in Tuesday’s Pokal match and was the most active player, producing four shots and assisting on three efforts in that game.
