LA Galaxy, LAFC, Zlatan... MLS week 10 highlights
The teams from Los Angeles had a bad weekend, as LA Galaxy lost and LAFC had a scoreless draw. Union, Atlanta, and Portland are starting to take pace.
MLS week 10 closed with an entertaining match between Atlanta United and Sporting Kansas City, where the current champions showed that there was nothing accidental about their last two victories - Josef Martínez and Ezequiel Barco were instrumental in the Five Stripes' success at Sporting Park.
Among the highlights of the weekend was Philadelphia Union's comprehensive win over the New England Revolution, and the great moment the defending champions and runners-up are in with both recording their second consecutive wins. Zlatan continues to find the back of the net but for the first time this season, the city of Los Angeles was left without celebrating a victory and on an even less positive note, we saw the first coach to be sacked.
Colorado Rapids fire their coach
After nine games without a win, Colorado decided it was time to make some changes, starting with Anthony Hudson who was sacked before the game against Vancouver which they went on to lose 3-2.
Rapids hired Hudson in November 2017 - he leaves after one season and nine games, with a record of eight wins, 26 defeats, and 9 draws.
Los Angeles' teams fail to win
Both LA clubs continue at the top of the MLS in standings and goals chart; Galaxy are on seven victories, one draw and two defeats, while LAFC are on seven wins and three draws.
Zlatan's side crashed to a 3-2 defeat away at NY Red Bulls - despite going in at half-time leading 2-1. LAFC closed Saturday's action with a goalless draw at Banc Of California Stadium against Chicago Fire. David Ousted, Fire's goalkeeper, ended as Man of the Match for his efforts in keeping out LA's forwards.
Zlatan sets new MLS record
Just as he threatened to do when he first arrived in the US, Ibrahomivic is slowly resetting all of the MLS records; in week 10 he set a new competition record for the most goals and assists in 35 regular season games.
Ibrahimovic scored 22 goals and 10 assists in his first season in the United States and during his second season, the 'Swedish Lion' has nine goals and two assists, making him the most productive player ever to have played in the MLS.
Philadelphia Union leads his Conference
The Union posted their third victory and bounced back following their recent defeat to LA Galaxy, since then Philly have registered wins against Montreal Impact and Cincinnati and drew with Vancouver. And this week the Union thrashed NE Revolution 6-1 to claim top spot in the Eastern Conference on goal difference.
Atlanta and Portland starting to find their feet
The two finalists of the 2018 MLS Cup, started the season poorly but have slowly been regaining their form. Atlanta United have won three out of their last four games with 9 goals in favour with eight against.
Portland Timbers recorded their third victory in a row, after having five consecutive defeats. Giovanni Savarese's team are on 10 points and occupy ninth place of the Western Conference with a goal difference of -7.