Down 3-0 to LAFC in the second half, Galaxy comeback is capped by tying and winning goals from Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
CARSON — LAFC’s Carlos Vela made his presence known early in Sunday’s first meeting between the first-year expansion club and the Galaxy.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic upstaged him in about 20 minutes.
With the Galaxy trailing 3-2, Zlatan Ibrahimovic unleashed a one-touch missile from approximately 45 yards that sailed over LAFC goalkeeper Tyler Miller’s head to tie the game.
It was Ibrahimovic’s third touch of the game since he came on as a sub in the 70th minute.
He wasn’t finished. In the 90th minute, Ibrahimovic got onto a cross from Ashley Cole and scored again to give the Galaxy a 4-3 win.
LAFC led 3-0 in the 48th minute. The Galaxy comeback started in the 61st minute on a goal from Sebastian Lletget, then Chris Pontius followed in the 73rd, setting the stage for Ibrahimovic.
LAFC dominated the first half, thanks to Vela.
Vela, LAFC’s first Designated Player, scored a pair of goals in the first half (fifth and 26th minutes).
In the 26th minute, Vela struck again, but the lack of the Galaxy’s defensive awareness played a important role.
Carlos Urena played the ball to Diego Rossi atop the 18, who was able to slide it out to the left for Vela. With Bingham coming off his line, Vela was able to chip the ball up and over the numerous Galaxy defenders, who were making their way back to protect the goal. Vela’s ball hit the crossbar and came down over the line for the goal.
LAFC took a 3-0 lead on an own goal as Urena’s shot deflected off Daniel Steres.
The teams will meet two more times this season.
