Ibrahimovic scored two goals in just over 20 minutes, helping the Galaxy overcome a 3-0 deficitGETTY IMAGES
Galaxy F Zlatan Ibrahimovic made his MLS debut Saturday and turned in what could be described as the "most indelible moment" in league history, according to Grant Wahl of SI.com. Ibrahimovic "scored once from 40 yards and once again in stoppage time, helping the Galaxy overcome a 3-0 second-half deficit to win 4-3 in its first-ever game against crosstown rival LAFC." There have been "more significant great games in the annals of MLS," as well as "huge-buzz-that-delivered games," including David Beckham’s first start in '07. However, for the kind of "unforgettable moment that instantly goes into the lore of a league, MLS has nothing to beat what Ibrahimovic did" (SI.com, 3/31). ESPN.com's Jeff Carlisle wrote Ibrahimovic "isn't the first player to score multiple goals in his MLS debut," but his performance will "go down as the most memorable." A Galaxy legend has been "born in just over 20 on-field minutes, an achievement that other high-profile players arriving in MLS have taken much longer to attain" (ESPN.com, 4/1). ESPN's Taylor Twellman called Ibrahimovic's debut "one of the top five moments in Major League Soccer history, bar none." Twellman: "Thirty, 40, 50, 60 years down the road, you're going to be talking about the debut of Zlatan Ibrahimovic. ... He is worth every single penny and worth every single second he is in Major League Soccer" ("SportsCenter," ESPN, 3/31).
LIVING UP TO THE HYPE: In L.A., Kevin Baxter wrote Ibrahimovic's entrance was the "most-hyped MLS debut in more than a decade -- and it exceeded expectations" (L.A. TIMES, 4/1). It was the "most memorable debut for a big-name player in MLS history" (L.A. TIMES, 4/1). USA TODAY's Martin Rogers wrote it was "about as perfect" of a debut as could be imagined (USATODAY.com, 3/31). The game "should go down as the greatest in the history of MLS ... simply for the moment living up to the attention" (SOCCERAMERICA.com, 4/1).
A RIVALRY IS BORN: In L.A., Damian Calhoun wrote Ibrahimovic wrote a "storybook ending in the first meeting between the teams, who’s stadiums are separated by approximately 12 miles" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 4/1). PRO SOCCER USA's Julia Poe wrote the inaugural game between the two L.A. teams "felt like a hometown experience for LAFC fans, who made themselves heard in Carson." For the expansion club, the first round of the rivalry was about "forging a new identity." Even with the loss, fans "felt the club overall showed its strength on the field and in the stands." LAFC's supporters "acted as one," by gathering into "one solidified group in the away corner." At some points, it was even "confusing for the Galaxy players, who thought that chants of 'Los Angeles' were coming from their own supporters, not the horde of LAFC fans." Despite its intensity, Saturday’s game "reflected the friendly tone of this derby." The two communities "mixed together easily" (PROSOCCERUSA.com, 4/1).
