Zlatan Ibrahimovic Is LA Galaxy’s Barometer

MLS 2019 Regular Season week 30

The LA Galaxy crushed Sporting Kansas City as they move back up in the standings thanks to another great home performance highlighted by an exceptional Zlatan Ibrahimovic. 

2019 MLS season has entered its last stretch of games and the playoffs hunt is reaching its peak now with only a few more games to be played. Teams go up and down as they try to secure the best position entering the playoffs or just to make it to the postseason. 

At this game we find the Los Angeles Galaxy. The five-times champions have been having a rollercoaster season being at the too of the standings early on and then being out of playoffs contention last week. Last MLS season Zlatan Ibrahimovic and his teammates missed on the MLS Playoffs and with four games left to play they only have a two point margin over FC Dallas at the 8th place.

When Zlatan is on top, LA Galaxy win

Ibrahimovic had another stellar performance against Sporting Kansas [7-2]. In a nine-goal rout the Swedish forward tied the game up with a penalty before extending the lead later on to 3-1. He finally scored the last goal of his team to complete his second hat-trick of the season. In the process Ibrahimovic broke the club’s single-season scoring record with his 26th goal of the season. 

In both big games against Los Angeles FC, Ibra also played very well and his team did lose [Win at home and Draw away]. However when he does not perform to his best, the team lacked aggressiveness and usually drop points and/or lose. This is why Ibrahimovic can be considered as LA Galaxy’s barometer. 

As humble as he is [laughs], he commented on the performance and where the team stands:

“I think the two years I’ve had here, I think I’m the best-ever player in MLS. And that’s without joking.

“I’ve said from the first day that I came that I’m not here for vacation. I’m here to perform and show everybody what the game is about. … I just have to keep going, keep being in shape, and help my team in the best way, and that’s by scoring goals.”

Argentine Coach Schelotto added on:

“I think it’s easy, because he’s Zlatan. That is the reason he can be Zlatan. Big games, he appears. He appears everyday, every game, every time, but especially in the moment his team needs him most dearly.”