LA Galaxy forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic is set to miss the 2018 MLS All-Star Game which is scheduled on Thursday against Juventus.
In a statement released to the media, the Galaxy said that they have decided to rest Ibrahimovic after playing in three club matches in the week-long period. Ibrahimovic is also expected to miss the Galaxy's match against the Colorado Rapids as per MLS rules.
"I am disappointed to miss the 2018 All-Star game against Juventus, one of my former clubs. I want to thank the fans for voting me to the team. My main focus is to score goals and help the LA Galaxy to the playoffs," Ibrahimovic said in the team's release.
Ibrahimovic has been walking highlight-reel in his 17 games with the Galaxy, tallying 15 goals and six assists. Ibrahimovic who started 14 games for the team made it into the game after being voted as part of the 2018 MLS All-Star Fan XI.
The All-Star Game, which will be shown live at Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football on Aug. 2, will be held in the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Meanwhile, the Galaxy will take on the Rapids on Aug. 4 at the Dick's Sporting Goods Park.
Ibrahimovic Leads Incredible Comeback
Ibrahimovic is coming off an incredible game against the Orlando City SC on Sunday wherein he recorded his first MLS hat-trick in a 4-3 victory. The victory improved Galaxy's record to 10-7-5 and more importantly inched them closer to second place LAFC in the Western Conference.
After being down 2-1, Ibrahimovic tied things up in the 47th-minute when he converted a brilliant header off a sterling cross by Gio Dos Santos. However, Orlando did not go home without a fight as Dom Dwyer scored seven minutes later to give his team the advantage for the last time.
Ibrahimovic evened the match again with another header in the 67th-minute before closing the game with an iconic game-winning goal in the 71st-minute. It also marked the first hat-trick in the league since Robbie Keane recorded one in July 2015. In addition, Ibrahimovic also moved past Bradley Wright-Phillips for the second spot in the race for the Golden Boot.
On the other hand, another goalscorer for Orlando was Cristian Higuita who found the back of the net in the 18th-minute while Michael Ciano gave the Lions an own goal in the 44th-minute. Orlando has been on a slump lately after losing 12 of their last 13 games. Overall, the Lions have lost eight straight losses away from home.
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