Zlatan double fails to inspire Galaxy past Seattle

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:21 am

An own goal in the 82nd minute left the short-handed LA Galaxy with a 2-2 draw against the Seattle Sounders on Saturday night in Carson, California.

Galaxy goalkeeper David Bingham sprinted out of his net in an attempt to thwart a long through ball for Sounders forward Jordan Morris. As Bingham had left the 18-yard box, he tried a sliding header to knock the ball away. Instead, the ball hit defender Jorgen Skjelvik in the face and bounced into the net from 25 yards out, giving Seattle the tying goal.

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Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored twice for the Galaxy (13-11-2, 41 points), who played with 10 men after defender Daniel Steres was issued a red card in the sixth minute for hauling down Seattle's Raul Ruidiaz on a breakaway attempt near midfield.

The Sounders (11-8-7, 40 points), whose winless streak reached four matches, took the lead on Ruidiaz's goal in the 42nd minute off a pass from Harry Shipp. Morris made a strong run with the ball down the left wing before cutting toward the middle at the top of the 18-yard box. He lost his balance while trying to spin past a defender but Shipp hustled to the loose ball and fed Ruidiaz, whose shot from about 8 yards beat Bingham.

Ibrahimovic tied the score in the 44th minute off a cross from Sebastian Lletget. Despite Seattle's Kim Kee-hee being draped all over him, Ibrahimovic was able to rise over the defender and put a header over Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic will have two chances to put up points in this week's MLS action.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic will have two chances to put up points in this week's MLS action.
Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire

The Galaxy was awarded the decisive penalty after Kim brought down Ibrahimovic in the box. Frei guessed right on the kick, but Ibrahimovic put too much power on it and blasted into the lower left corner of the net.

The goal was the 20th of the season for Ibrahimovic, tying him with Atlanta's Josef Martinez for second in the league to LAFC's Carlos Vela, who has 24.

Bingham made five saves, including a diving stop on Luis Silva in second-half stoppage time. Frei was credited with two saves.