MLS Review: Ibrahimovic hat-trick inspires Galaxy comeback, NYC beaten
Former Manchester United striker Ibrahimovic was the hero at Stubhub Center, where the Swedish star netted three second-half goals as the rallying Galaxy extended their unbeaten streak in the league to nine matches.
The Galaxy found themselves trailing 2-1 at the break after Ibrahimovic teed up Giovani dos Santos for the equaliser to cancel out Orlando's 18th-minute opener, only for the visitors to restore their lead on the stroke of half-time thanks to Mickael Ciani's own goal.
LA restored parity again two minutes into the second half when Ibrahimovic rose highest to head home a Dos Santos cross in California.
15 goals in 17 #LAGalaxy appearances.
Witness @Ibra_official's first hat trick in @MLS pic.twitter.com/KNGqoOFxHq
— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) July 30, 2018
The topsy-turvy contest continued after Dominic Dwyer made it 3-2 in favour of Orlando in the 54th minute, however, Ibrahimovic took matters into his hands from that moment.
Ibrahimovic found the back of the net with a diving header – set up by Oma Kamara – with 23 minutes remaining before the 36-year-old chested the ball and fired a thunderous half-volley past Earl Edwards four minutes later.
It took Ibrahimovic's tally to 15 goals in 17 appearances since arriving from United as the Galaxy – who staged a stunning comeback against Los Angeles FC to earn a draw on Thursday – moved within a point of LAFC and seven points of Western Conference leaders Dallas.
Slumping Orlando, meanwhile, crashed to their third consecutive defeat to be ninth in the Eastern Conference.
In Sunday's other fixture, in-form Seattle Sounders accounted for New York City 3-1 to snap the visitors' four-match winning run.