Ibrahimović Leads Galaxy to Victory Over Portland
The Portland Timbers fell to Los Angeles Galaxy in a Sunday night matchup in Carson, California. LA Galaxy has recorded three wins and one loss in 2019, while the Timbers remain winless on the season.
MLS Soccer News: Los Angeles Galaxy recorded a 2-1 victory over the Portland Timbers on Sunday night led by two penalties from Zlatan Ibrahimović. The victory at Dignity Health Sports Park in front of 23,820 fans marked the Galaxy’s third of the 2019 Major League Soccer (MLS) season.
“It is very important to be creating a winning mentality, and it’s necessary for a team to have aspirations for winning,” said Guillermo Schelotto, LA Galaxy head coach.
In the 21st minute, Portland had the first opportunity of the match when the visitors maintained possession in the Galaxy’s defensive half. Diego Valeri dribbled along the end line and served a pass to the edge of the penalty area that deflected off a Galaxy player and landed for Sebastián Blanco. The Argentine midfielder hit a strike from just inside the box, but Los Angeles goalkeeper David Bingham blocked the attempt.
In the 33rd minute, Ibrahimović converted from the penalty spot for the hosts after Portland fouled him inside the penalty area.
The Timbers leveled the match in the 44th minute. Diego Chara dribbled through midfield and played the ball to David Guzmán near the edge of the penalty area. Guzmán quickly played the ball to Valeri, who immediately served the ball back to Guzmán in the box. He then played a low pass across the face of goal to Jeremy Ebobisse for the close-range finish.
Timbers goalkeeper Jeff Attinella made a vital stop in the 60th minute to deny Ibrahimović. A cross from the right flank by Rolf Feltscher found Ibrahimović who fired a shot from near the six-yard box, but Attinella came off his line quickly to deny the opportunity.
In the 64th minute, Ibrahimović was awarded a second penalty after the Timbers were whistled for a foul inside the penalty area. Ibrahimović converted in order to put the Galaxy in front by a score of 2-1. Portland was unable to find the net again as Los Angeles held on for the victory.
“We created a lot of chances, but don’t forget we were playing against a good team,” said Ibrahimović. ” We had crazy support from the stands, that gave us motivation and power. We kept going because we said in the halftime the chance would come and we will score again.”
Los Angeles heads on the road to face off against the Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Friday, April 5, at 10:00 p.m. ET.
Photo Credit: Los Angeles Galaxy
