Zlatan: I’m returning to MLS to lift the Galaxy
UNIVERSAL CITY, CALIF. >> Although Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s first season in Major League Soccer was a smashing individual success, his LA Galaxy were a serious disappointment in the standings. The Galaxy’s failure to make the MLS playoffs is a major reason why the Swedish superstar is back for another season in California instead of taking big money to return to Europe.
“My priority No. 1 was to stay with the Galaxy, because I feel I have much more to give to Galaxy and the MLS, the fans,” Ibrahimovic said Saturday at a Los Angeles-area hotel during the league’s media day. “The way we ended last season was not a situation normal for me, because normally where I go, I win. And I didn’t succeed with that here, and that for me was not OK. I think the fans deserve more than what they got.”
Ibrahimovic, 37, scored 22 goals in 27 games after joining the Galaxy in March. He added 10 assists and dazzled the North American league with his offensive skill, which hadn’t been diminished by his recent knee injury.
Although he led one of the most prolific goalscoring teams in MLS, the Galaxy struggled defensively and in big games. They finished seventh in the Western Conference with a 13-12-9 record despite Zlatan’s steady scoring.
Ibrahimovic had little doubt he could score goals against MLS defenses, but victories weren’t as simple to acquire. After proving he is still a force up front, he wants to lift the Galaxy’s entire roster this year.
“For the upcoming season, I want to feel I have a challenge to win this thing,” Ibrahimovic said. “The first season was more about, ‘How do I feel?’ What level I am, especially after my injury. Didn’t play soccer for more than a year, but it took 10 minutes and I showed the world what I was. I showed them that I’m still there, that I’m still alive, and that was important for me.”
Ibrahimovic also got a new one-year contract paying him much more than last season, when he made a meager $1.5 million. Zlatan agreed to the smaller initial deal to fit into the strictures on the Galaxy’s payroll imposed by MLS’ salary cap, but his new deal is more commensurate with his abilities.
“From being the worst-paid (superstar) to best, for me, is the same situation, because I still have to perform,” Ibrahimovic said. “I performed under being the worst-paid, so imagine now how I will perform being the best-paid.”
Ibrahimovic said he could have signed a multiyear deal with the Galaxy, but declined.
France ends U.S. unbeaten run
Kadidiatou Diani scored twice and France ended the U.S. women’s national team’s 28game unbeaten streak with a 3-1 victory Saturday in Le Havre, France.
The top-ranked United States had not lost since falling 1-0 to Australia in 2017, The Americans were 25-0-3 over the span.
Marie-Antoinette Katoto also scored for third-ranked France. It has won eight straight matches.
It was the first of 10 matches the United States will play before the World Cup. The Americans are the defending champions and could meet France again in the quarterfinals.
Mallory Pugh scored for the United States in the final moments.
U.S. coach Jill Ellis had to tinker with her lineup and rested stars Megan Rapinoe, Tobin Heath and Julie Ertz as a precaution because of injuries. Also held out was Kelley O’Hara, recovering from ankle surgery.
Parks joins NYC FC from Benfica
NEW YORK >> U.S. national teamer Keaton Parks has been acquired by New York City FC on loan from the Portuguese club Benfica for the 2019 season.
The 21-year-old Texan is a versatile central midfielder. He joined Varzim of Portugal in 2015 when he turned 18 and then signed with Benfica in 2017. He made his national team debut in May, entering in the 62nd minute of a 3-0 victory over Bolivia in Philadelphia.
New York sporting director Claudio Reyna said Saturday that Parks “comes to us highly motivated” and can “make a strong impact.”