Ibrahimovic gives no clues about future after loss

LOS ANGELES >> Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s future is unlikely to be known for at least a few weeks now that his season is over.

The Swedish superstar dazzled Major League Soccer with 31 goals and led the LA Galaxy to the playoffs for the first time since 2016. His goal of winning an MLS Cup was denied, however, when LAFC defeated the Galaxy 5-3 on Thursday night in the Western Conference semifinals.

If Ibrahimovic, 38, doesn’t come back for a third season in the U.S., he could retire or return to Italy’s Serie A when his contract expires in December.

“If I don’t play in MLS who will you talk about then? I have another two months and we’ll see,” he said. “What happens next year I really don’t know.”

Many of Ibrahimovic’s frustrations with MLS and the Galaxy have been consistent. He said MLS is going in the right direction, but the progress has not come as quickly as he had hoped.

As for the Galaxy, breakdowns on defense were a big reason they struggled late in the season and finished fifth in the Western Conference.

“We score a couple of goals, but we concede much more than we are scoring. It’s not the way you win, it’s not the way you become champion,” he said. “If you score 31 goals, it is supposed to be a championship year. We are doing the maximum and lose. The whole season has been like that.”

Ibrahimovic couldn’t pass up a parting shot at LAFC and likely league MVP Carlos Vela when he said: “I made LAFC famous no? I made Vela famous. Imagine if I am not here anymore.”

Ramos hired as coach of Dynamo

HOUSTON >> Tab Ramos has been hired as coach of Major League Soccer’s Houston Dynamo and has quit as coach of the U.S. under-20 team.

Ramos was hired Friday to replace Wilmer Cabrera, who was fired in August after 2½ seasons.

Ramos had eight goals in 81 international appearances and played for the U.S. in the 1990, 1994 and

1998 World Cups.