September 22, 2019.

The LA Galaxy defeated the Montreal Impact at home by a score of 2-1. Goals by Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Uriel Antuna were enough to lift the Galaxy past Montreal and into third place in the West.

In the 31st minute, Ibrahimovic pulled his team ahead on the scoreboard from eight yards out. Forward Cristian Pavon burst into the Montreal penalty area and cut the ball back upon reaching the endline. Jonathan Dos Santos fired from the top of the box, and the ball fell at the feet of Ibrahimovic after deflecting off of Uriel Antuna. Ibrahimovic cooly slotted the ball past goalkeeper Evan Bush, and LA went up 1-0.

VAR reviewed the goal for offsides on the initial through ball to Pavon, but the goal stood and Ibrahimovic tallied his 27th goal of the season.

In the second half, Montreal came out determined to find an equalizer, and they were able to level the score in the 48th minute thanks to a flicked header by Lassi Lappalainen. The Montreal forward snuck in between the Galaxy center backs and got at the end of a long, diagonal cross into the box. Lappalainen was able to redirect the ball into the bottom corner of the net and tie the game at 1-1.

Just two minutes later, the LA Galaxy regained the lead through Uriel Antuna. In the 50th minute, Cristian Pavon sent in a deep cross from the right touchline to Ibrahimovic, who nodded the ball down to Antuna near the penalty spot. The LA Galaxy forward controlled the ball and fired down low past Bush to put his team up 2-1.

In the remaining half an hour, the LA Galaxy had numerous occasions to extend their lead, but Evan Bush came up big several times to keep his team in the game. Ibrahimovic had two clear chances to add to his goal tally, but Bush made two excellent saves from close range to deny the Swedish striker.

At the other end of the field, Montreal were unable to break down the LA Galaxy defense, and the game ended 2-1.

With this result, the LA Galaxy climb to third place in the West, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic remains just two goals behind Carlos Vela in the golden boot race.

As for Montreal, this loss leaves them four points away from the top seven in the East, and their chances to make the playoffs are slim with just two match days left.

-Pablo Bayona Sapag / Lorena Barros

