CHESTER, PA. – A cross-country road trip, a never ending rainstorm and a feisty Philadelphia Union could not put a stop to the lethal play of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and the LA Galaxy on Saturday night in Talen Energy Stadium.
After taking home the 3-1 victory over the Union, the LA Galaxy are now on an unbeaten streak to seven and winning streak to three.
While Talen Energy Stadium was jam-packed with Philadelphia Union diehards (and secret Ibrahimovic fans), the energy reached a new level of excitement and the rain was not putting a damper on any of it. The crowd was embracing the dramatic storm to match the game.
Ibrahimovic proved he’s still a top tier “world-class” player and while a feisty teenage D-line put up a solid fight, the new addition to the LA Galaxy put on a show stopping performance with one goal and an assist, leaving no one to question his abilities. In only 15 games in America, Ibrahimovic has scored in 12 of them.
Regardless of the 3-1 score, Ibrahimovic still had good things to say about the Union and their dynamic defensive duo of Auston Trusty and Mark McKenzie.
“I think they did a good job. It’s not easy, two young guys, not so much experience and the weather conditions were not the best. I think they did a good job,” said Zlatan.
With a slow start to the game, each team took more than 10 minutes to assess the soaking wet field, windy conditions and not to mention, the brick house goalies at each end. Eventually though, Philadelphia would adjust and score the first point of the match-up.
After breaking down the Union’s young defensive line, Ibrahimovic tied the game with a clutch assist to Ola Kamara in the 48th splitting the defenders. While Union goalie, Andre Blake had spectacular saves throughout the game, including Ibrahimovic’s rocket of a shot from 35 yards out, there was only so much he was able to do when the Galaxy offense, led by Ibrahimovic, was able to pick their moments and capitalize.
“Up until that point, we did a good job with him,” said Philadelphia Union Coach Jim Curtin. “But that is what world-class strikers do. They pick their moments and dominate and win games. He is about as special player as there is.”
On his own goal, he was given a crisp pass from Romain Alessandrini, placed perfectly inside the Union 18. The 36-year-old prior Manchester United striker, in typical international fashion, kept perfect composure shuffling between players to give himself just enough space to fire a shot and connect with the net.
“He’s a world-class striker, one of the best players our league has ever seen and one of the best strikers our game has ever had,” said Curtin.
Space is the most dangerous thing to give Zlatan Ibrahimovic as he is able to punish and capitalize the moment the ball left his foot and that’s precisely what happened and Philadelphia sure did suffer.
The Philadelphia Union will now face the Huston Dynamo on Wednesday July 25 at the BBVA Compass Stadium while the LA Galaxy will take on LAFC on Thursday July 26 at Banc of California Stadium.
