Ibrahimovic has spent the past two seasons in MLS after a long career with top European teamsGETTY IMAGES
Galaxy F Zlatan Ibrahimovic' time in MLS "might have come to an end" with the team's 5-3 loss to LAFC in Thursday's Western Conference semifinal match, and there is a "sinking feeling the Galaxy failed to maximize his ability as a striker and entertainer," according to Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. TIMES. The team's "mediocrity limited his exposure," as Galaxy management "ultimately failed to place the right players around Ibrahimovic." After Ibrahimovic re-signed with the Galaxy in the offseason, the team "should have built around him," but "it didn't." Galaxy President Chris Klein "appeared to have one idea," but GM Dennis te Kloese and coach Guillermo Barros Schelotto "seemed to have another" in regard to roster construction (L.A. TIMES, 10/25). Ibrahimovic said that he "hasn't decided whether he will return to the Galaxy next season." Ibrahimovic: "What happens next, I don't know if I stay or not. For MLS, it would be good (if I stayed) because the whole world will watch it. If I don't play in MLS, who will you talk to? If I don't stay, nobody will remember what the MLS is" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 10/25).
TURNING POINT? SOCCER AMERICA's Paul Kennedy writes LAFC's victory last night was a "watershed moment for MLS." It sent LAFC into the conference finals, where for the "first time in the league's 24 years all four teams are expansion teams" -- Toronto FC ('07), Sounders ('09), Atlanta United ('17), LAFC ('18). All four teams "represent turning points in the ambitions of the league" (SOCCERAMERICA.com, 10/25).
