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Zlatan Ibrahimovic hat trick leads LA Galaxy over Orlando City

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Zlatan Ibrahimovic was far too much for Orlando City’s patchwork backline to handle.

The Swede picked up his first MLS hat trick as the LA Galaxy came from behind three times to eventually defeat Orlando City by a 4-3 score.

Zlatan not only scored three of the Galaxy’s four goals on the night, be he also assisted on their first. Giovani dos Santos levelled to score for LA in the 39th minute as an answer for a wonderful passing play between Sacha Kljestan and Cristian Higuita back in the 18th minute. Higuita’s finish put Orlando City in front for the first time on the night.

An unfortunate own goal off Michael Ciani in the 44th minute rallied Ibrahimovic to a hot start in the second half. He found the equalizer just two minutes into the second half by heading home a cross from dos Santos.

His second came in the 67th minute after Dom Dwyer restored Orlando’s lead yet again. This time he finished an Ola Kamara cross with a powerful diving header. He didn’t wait long to get his third, either. It came in the 71st minute by snacking home a rebound from the corner of the six yard box.

Ibrahimovic now has 15 goals in 16 MLS appearances since joining the Galaxy at the end of March.

Meanwhile, Orlando City’s struggles continue as they have lost 12 of their last 13 matches.

Man of the Match

Zlatan Ibrahimovic continues to take MLS by storm by bagging his first hat trick in MLS.

Moment of the Match

Zlatan’s third goal gave the LA Galaxy their first lead of the match and it was enough to see off the struggling Lions.

Match to Forget

Chris Schuler will be seeing Zlatan Ibrahimovic in his nightmares tonight, because he was useless while trying to mark the Swede.

Comments

  1. I used to think David Villa was the best striker to ever play in MLS. Now it’s Zlatan. He is just so physically imposing while having such an excellent skill set. He’s a threat every time he gets the ball. BTW, it’s not just MLS. If my memory is correct, before he was hurt at Man U he scored, I think, 14 goals in 19 games. Another typical Galaxy game–porous defense and an unstoppable offense. It’s rarely dull.

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  2. question: could he have changed the outcome of the wc in russia, had he been there for sweden)? maybe even just a little bit? one result, maybe?

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    • Before the WC I thought Sweden were foolish to not ask him to come back. Although the Swedes over achieved, nothing I’ve seen of Ibra makes me change my original conclusion. You figure he could have added at least an average of half a goal per game for them or, to put it another way, a goal every other game.

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    • I think the answer is clearly yes. Even if he was just used as a sub with 20 minutes to go, he undoubtedly could have helped Sweden.

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  3. The dude is just ridiculous. 36 years old and he’s still the best finisher I’ve ever seen.

    There is NO WAY this guy would not be the best player in any league he played in, even now. Juve will probably want him back after the All-Star game is over.

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