Zlatan 'Lion' Ibrahimovic on Saturday couldn't replicate an inspiring performance that saw him bagged a hat-trick in the Los Angeles Galaxy(LAG) 3-2 win over city rival Los Angeles FC(LAFC) in the battle of Zlatan vs Vela about 2 weeks ago, Zlatan was toothless in an embarrassing 0-4 defeat at the hands of Portland Timbers FC. 2 goals in either half condemned the LAG to her 3rd defeat in 5 MLS matches.
LAG came into the week 22 fixture full of confidence having defeated LAFC 3-2 in their last league game as earlier mentioned, with Zlatan upstaging the league-leading scorer Vela with 3 goals on the day, Zlatan's performance was an exhibiting to his critics and whoever cared to listen that he is still the 'Lion King' after recent accolades have been showered on Carlos Vela for his stellar performances for LAFC.
Portland & LA Galaxy are 2 teams that know each other too well, both teams have met 5 whooping times in the last 16 month alone, sharing the head-to-head stats with 2 wins each and a draw. However, the recent meeting was at the United State Open Cup last month when Portland demolish LAG 4 nil, it seemed as lightning had struck LAG twice.
Portland is a team in form too, unbeaten in her last 5 matches with 3 wins and 2 draws and sure came into the clash with a plan, 'stop Zlatan and you stop LAG'. Zlatan! the self-proclaimed 'Lion' was duly cage by the Portland 'ringleaders', he(Zlatan) was reduced to only 5 shots all 90 minutes. Portland 1st-2 goals came off a swift counter-attack, firstly, it was Cristhian Parades who finished off Jorge Moreira cross with a glancing header in the 37th minute, and 4 minutes later, another counter-attack saw Argentine's Diego Valeri put through down the left-hand side, to finish off a mazy-solo run with a cool finish into the far post.
Further 2 goals were scored in the closing minutes of the 2nd half, Parades completed his double with a fine volley in the 81st minute. LAG's night was made even miserable when they were reduced to 10 men in the 84th minute after Efrain Alvarez couldn't keep his frustration in check, and just 4 minutes later, Portland got their 4th goal of the night when Jeremy Ebrobisse nodded in to complete the rout. More frustration for LAG after the final whistle when one of her player Diego Polenta was sent off alongside Portland player Dairon Asprilla for violent conducts.
See the short highlight below:
The defeat now means LAG has slipped further behind city rival LAFC into 3rd place still on 37 points, level with San Jose Earthquakes also on 37 points but with superior goal difference, and have been overtaken into 2nd place by Seattle Sounders who are now on 38 points.
Los Angeles see-saw season continues with her last 7 league matches' Lose-Win sequence goes like L-W-L-W-L-W-L (Win 3-Lose 4), not a healthy set of results for a playoff-chasing LAG.
That's the wrap folks, thank you for your time.
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