Football
2018 Major League Soccer, Regular Season
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 LAFC
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ESPN 6y

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scores 499th career goal as LA Galaxy draw LAFC

Zlatan Ibrahimovic inched closer to a scoring milestone as the LA Galaxy and crosstown rivals LAFC played to a 1-1 draw on Friday.

In the final regular season installment of the MLS derby dubbed "El Trafico," Ibrahimovic netted his 499th career goal on a deft tap outside the 6-yard box in the 15th minute.

Video review showed the ball crossing the line just right before LAFC defender Danilo Silva could boot it away. 

Minutes later, Ibrahimovic almost reached the 500-goal milestone when he hit the left goal post on a hard strike from 25 yards out.

Carlos Vela scored the equalizer for LAFC in the 51st minute after he was fouled in the penalty area by Galaxy midfielder Perry Kitchen.

Both sides created numerous chances throughout the night, and the Galaxy looked like a completely different side than the one that lost 5-0 last week in Seattle. Ibrahimovic sat out that game to limit playing on artiticial turf during the regular season campaign.

Friday's match at StubHub Center lacked some of the drama and playmaking that the filled the first two installments of the fledging derby. The first game in March coincided with Ibrahimovic's MLS debut where his two goals capped a stunning comeback to give the Galaxy a 4-3 win. The second clash also saw the Galaxy salvage a result with a 2-2 draw after two late scores.

The Galaxy moved into a tie for fourth place in the Western Conference with Real Salt Lake. The Galaxy are winless in their last five matches (0-2-3).

LAFC moved into sole possession of second place in the Western Conference, three points behind first-place FC Dallas.

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