Zlatan Ibrahimović didn’t wait for Los Angeles to welcome him. Instead, he welcomed the city to zLAtan.
The L.A. Galaxy aren’t playing around with this rebuild, which they showed by officially announcing the signing of one of the most prolific soccer players in the game on Friday. And thus, an extraordinarily bold, yet charismatic, soccer player enters the city of celebrities.
#zLAtan pic.twitter.com/S73CpaNMaP
— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) March 23, 2018
Asked if L.A. was big enough for his personality, Ibrahimović told the Los Angeles Times, “If it’s not, I’ll make it bigger.”
A full-page ad appeared in the same newspaper Friday that simply read, “Dear Los Angeles, You’re welcome,” with Ibrahimović’s signature at the bottom.
And thank him, Galaxy fans should, for leaving Manchester United, where he was reportedly making $26 million a year. According to Sports Illustrated’s Grant Wahl , Ibrahimović signed a two-year, $3 million contract with L.A..
Great things also come to an end and it is time to move on after two fantastic seasons with Manchester United. Thank you to the club, the fans, the team, the coach, the staff and everybody who shared with me this part of my history. #foreverred pic.twitter.com/vo1Gs3SUHL
— Zlatan Ibrahimović (@Ibra_official) March 22, 2018
Ibrahimović is recovering from a knee injury, but could make his MLS debut as soon as Saturday.
Landon Donovan scores against former team
All-time MLS scoring leader Landon Donovan netted the winning goal for Mexican club Leon in a friendly against the San Jose Earthquakes Saturday.
Donovan, who came out of retirement to sign with Leon, spent the first four seasons of his MLS career with the Earthquakes.
In the 19th minute of the match, Donovan spun around on a deflection and sent a half-volley from the top of the box into the left side of the net.
So we know you all want to see it...
— San Jose Earthquakes (@SJEarthquakes) March 25, 2018
Here's @landondonovan's opening goal for @clubleon. pic.twitter.com/eBcZ4XdRJU
Kendall Waston’s suspension rescinded
The independent Panel on Friday went against the VAR decision to issue Vancouver Whitecaps center back Kendall Waston a red card for violent conduct in the Whitecaps’ match against Atlanta United on March 17.
The panel, made up of a representative from each of the U.S. and Canada soccer federations and the Professional Referee Organization, reviewed the play and unanimously voted to rescind the suspension and fine.
MLS Power Rankings
1. New York City FC (Last week: 1)
Shorthanded, NYCFC still managed to pull out a point at New England, earning the club the No. 1 spot in the rankings for the fourth week in a row.
2. Columbus Crew SC (2)
The Crew extended their unbeaten streak to four games, showing off their goal-scoring ability with three goals against D.C. United.
3. Toronto FC (3)
The break neither helped nor hurt Toronto’s case.
4. New York Red Bulls (5)
Bradley Wright Phillips and the Red Bulls bounced back from a loss at Real Salt Lake to pummel Minnesota United in New York.
5. Atlanta United (4)
Atlanta United, too, had a bye this week, but slipped down to make room for the Red Bulls, who grabbed a resounding win at Red Bull Arena.
6. Los Angeles FC (6)
LAFC also observed the international break.
7. Houston Dynamo (7)
Houston got the week off.
8. Seattle Sounders FC (9)
The Sounders remain in ninth after a bye this weekend.
9. Sporting Kansas City (8)
Yes, SKC got a point on the road, but they did it against a struggling Colorado team and allowed two goals, the eighth and ninth goals Sporting Kansas City has already conceded in three matches this season.
10. Philadelphia Union
Philadelphia was off this weekend, but The Timbers’ drop out of the top 10 after going winless for a third straight match allowed the Union to rise.