Zlatan Ibrahimovic has only played 19 minutes in his MLS career.
But that was enough to score two of the most memorable goals in MLS history — and, it turns out, win his first award in his new league.
On Tuesday, three days after leading the LA Galaxy to a thrilling 4-3 victory over LAFC in the clubs' first-ever meeting, Ibrahimović was voted the Alcatel Major League Soccer Player of the Week by the North American Soccer Reporters for Week 5.
In a debut for the ages, the newly-acquired Swede became the third player in league history to score two goals in his debut off the bench while helping the Galaxy become the second team in MLS regular-season history to win a match after trailing by three goals.
Ibrahimovic entered the match in the 71st minute with the Galaxy trailing 3-1 and, after a Chris Pontiusgoal closed the gap to one, unleashed an unbelievable nearly 40-yard curling strike over LAFC goalkeeper Tyler Miller to to tie the contest in the 77st minute.
The legendary Swedish forward completed the brace in stoppage time, beating Miller and two defenders to the ball to head home the winner and cap the stirring comeback.
In only 19 minutes played, Ibrahimovic ranks tied for 14th in the league in goals scored. He’ll look to add some more when the Galaxy (2-1-1) return to action Sunday to host Sporting Kansas City at the StubHub Center (9 pm ET; FS1 — full TV & streaming info).
The Alcatel MLS Player of the Week is chosen each week of the regular season by members of the North American Soccer Reporters. The organization includes print, television, radio and online journalists who cover domestic men's soccer in the United States and Canada.
