MLS Review: Ibrahimovic breaks Galaxy record with hat-trick in rout

Hat-trick hero Zlatan Ibrahimovic made history for LA Galaxy, while DC United boosted their play-off chances in MLS on Sunday.

Ibrahimovic set a single-season scoring record for Galaxy by moving onto 26 goals, netting a hat-trick in a 7-2 thrashing of Sporting Kansas City at Dignity Health Sports Park.

Galaxy had fallen behind to a Felipe Gutierrez goal before Ibrahimovic equalised just after the half-hour mark.

The former Manchester United striker had a penalty saved by Tim Melia, only for the rebound to fall kindly for him to tap in.

Joe Corona headed in a Cristian Pavon cross to give Galaxy the lead in the second half before Ibrahimovic broke the club’s record with a finish from inside the area.

.@ibra_official gets a second! That’s 3-1 in favor of #LAGalaxy! #LAvSKC pic.twitter.com/BfwbUCXa58

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 16, 2019

Sebastian Lletget scored a late brace after an Uriel Antuna goal before Ibrahimovic completed his hat-trick, drilling into the bottom corner after an Efrain Alvarez pass.

.@ibra_official completes his hat trick! #LAvSKC pic.twitter.com/lkXW5gHLAe

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 16, 2019

Gutierrez scored a late consolation goal for Sporting as Galaxy climbed into fifth in the Western Conference.

A first-half own goal from Bill Tuiloma was enough for DC United to overcome the Portland Timbers 1-0.

Take it how you get it. @USeguraCR gets the credit for this one @dcunited goes up 1-0 pic.twitter.com/HK3pHV6HL3

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 15, 2019

It marked a second straight league win for DC, who are fifth in the Eastern Conference and eight points clear of eighth-placed Montreal Impact.

Toronto are fourth and also closing in on the play-offs after recording a 3-2 win at home to Colorado Rapids.

Jonathan Osorio scored the match-winner for Toronto in the 70th minute.

Darwin Quintero’s brace helped Minnesota United to a 3-1 victory over Real Salt Lake and Nicolas Lodeiro’s double saw Seattle Sounders beat New York Red Bulls 4-2.