CARSON, CA – Zlatan Ibrahimović netted a brace and drew a penalty that resulted in a third goal to lead LA Galaxy (12W-11L-8D) to a 3-0 victory over Vancouver Whitecaps FC (11W-12L-7D) at StubHub Center on Saturday evening.
Whitecaps FC battled throughout but were unable to overcome Ibrahimović’s offensive output on the evening. The ‘Caps were without attacking midfielder Yordy Reyna and left back Brett Levis, both out due to injury, in the club’s first match since a late-season coaching change.
Kei Kamara and the ‘Caps outshot their opponents 14 to 11, but it would not be enough to get Vancouver crucial points in their playoff push.
Ibrahimović opened the scoring in the third minute with a penalty kick, after Galaxy winger Romain Alessandrini drew a foul inside the box early.
The Swedish superstar scored his second on the evening and his 20th of the season with a right-footed rocket from just inside the box before the hour-mark. He then completed the effort by drawing another penalty on the ‘Caps in the 77th minute, with Alessandrini slotting in the kick from the spot for the final 3-0 score.
Next for Whitecaps FC is a visit to Canadian rival and defending MLS Cup champions Toronto FC on Saturday, October 6. Kickoff at BMO Field is at 2 p.m. PT (TSN1/4, 1410 AM).
Following the FIFA international break, the ‘Caps are back home on Wednesday, October 17 when they host Sporting Kansas City at BC Place. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. PT. Visit whitecapsfc.com for ticket information.
MATCH DETAILS
Budweiser Man of the Match: Kei Kamara
Referee: Baldomero Toledo
Attendance: 25,659
Scoring Summary
4’ – LA – Zlatan Ibrahimovic (penalty kick)
58’ – LA – Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Rolf Feltscher)
77’ – LA – Romain Alessandrini (penalty kick)
Statistics
Possession: LA 56.1% – VAN 43.9%
Shots: LA 11 – VAN 14
Shots on Goal: LA 3 – VAN 4
Saves: LA 4 – VAN 0
Fouls: LA 16 – VAN 15
Offsides: LA 1 – VAN 1
Corners: LA 3 – VAN 5
Duels won: LA 54 – VAN 47
Tackles won: LA 9 – VAN 6
Cautions
37’ – LA – Rolf Feltscher
90’+3 – VAN – Cristian Techera
LA Galaxy
1.David Bingham; 25.Rolf Feltscher, 4.Dave Romney, 5.Daniel Steres, 3.Ashley Cole ©; 7.Romain Alessandrini (16.Jørgen Skjelvik 88’), 17.Sebastian Lletget, 8.Jonathan dos Santos (2.Perry Kitchen 84’), 24.Emmanuel Boateng (14.Servando Carrasco 80’); 9.Zlatan Ibrahimović, 11.Ola Kamara
Substitutes not used
41.Justin Vom Steeg, 6.Baggio Husidic, 15.Ariel Lassiter, 28.Michael Ciani
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
1.Stefan Marinović; 28.Jake Nerwinski, 4.Kendall Waston ©, 2.Doneil Henry, 17.Marcel de Jong; 66.Aly Ghazal (77.Jordon Mutch 80’); 67.Alphonso Davies, 31.Russell Teibert, 11.Nicolás Mezquida (8.Felipe 62’), 20.Brek Shea (13.Cristian Techera 62’); 23.Kei Kamara
Substitutes not used
12.Brian Rowe, 3.Sean Franklin, 18.Jose Aja, 19.Erik Hurtado
