Darren Mattocks' late equalizer helps D.C. United earn draw vs. LA Galaxy

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Ibrahimovic's perfectly timed volley for LA Galaxy

Zlatan Ibrahimovic hit home his 10th goal of the season in style for LA Galaxy after just five minutes.

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:29 am

Darren Mattocks equalized in the 85th minute for his career-high eighth goal of the season, and D.C. United overcame an early two-goal deficit to salvage a 2-2 tie against the LA Galaxy on Wednesday night in Carson, Calif.

Zoltan Stieber scored in the first half for D.C. in the final game of an eight-match road trip before the club opens its new stadium, Audi Field, on July 14. United finished that road stretch 1-4-3.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored his 10th goal of the season and Chris Pontius added another to give LA an early 2-0 lead.

However, the Galaxy surrendered a two-goal lead for a second consecutive game after settling for a 3-3 draw at the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday.

D.C. remains in last place in the Eastern Conference standings, but has at least three games in hand on all but one team in the conference. United will play 15 of their last 20 matches at home.

They'll also add English superstar Wayne Rooney to their roster when the league's summer transfer window opens on July 10.

In the meantime, Mattocks has continued to score up front. He did it again at the most crucial of moments on Wednesday.

Darren Mattocks & Michael Ciani
Darren Mattocks & Michael Ciani
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The credit for the goal was all his, as he sliced between Baggio Husidic and Perry Kitchen to create a sliver of space on the left side of the penalty area, then fired a finish from close range to beat LA keeper David Bingham.

Ibrahimovic put LA ahead in the fifth minute when he outmuscled D.C.'s Oniel Fisher to reach Dave Romney's cross and fired a pinpoint volley inside the right post and beyond diving D.C. goalie David Ousted.

Pontius doubled the Galaxy's lead 20 minutes later through a moment of individual brilliance. The right winger took down Jorgen Skjelvik's cross and cut past Fisher all with his first touch, then curled a finish into the top left corner with his second.

Stieber answered for D.C. only a minute later, when he took Luciano Acosta's slick pass inside the penalty area, and from a tight angle, slid a finish past Bingham and inside the left post.