MLS Review: LAFC´s dream season continues, Ibrahimovic strikes as Galaxy cruise

Adama Diomande scored twice as Los Angeles FC continued their fairy tale debut season in MLS with a 4-1 home win over lowly Orlando City.

Diomande and Latif Blessing scored in the space of four first-half minutes to put LAFC in control, as they looked to record a sixth win from seven games in all competitions.

Sacha Kljestan pulled one back for the visitors, who were under new management in the form of James O’Connor, but Diomande and substitute Diego Rossi scored again late on to put LAFC second in the Western Conference.

They trail FC Dallas by a point after the conference leaders suffered a surprising 2-0 defeat away to Real Salt Lake, while third-place Sporting Kansas City were held to a 2-2 home draw by defending MLS Cup champions Toronto FC.

Who else but Diomande?! #LAFCvORL https://t.co/HAVkqybGnH

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 8, 2018

Meanwhile, across town, Zlatan Ibrahimovic continued his scoring streak as Los Angeles Galaxy eased past Columbus Crew 4-0.

The hosts had to wait until three minutes before half time as Ashley Cole set up Ola Kamara for the opener, before Ibrahimovic scored his 11th MLS goal from the penalty spot.

Substitute Romain Alessandrini added two goals in the second half as the Galaxy maintained their playoff push.

FT: That’ll do.

Alessandrini adds a fourth as @LAGalaxy take all three points. #LAvCLB https://t.co/SReaN3bTez

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 8, 2018

Elsewhere in the Western Conference, a Samuel Armenteros brace helped Portland defeat San Jose Earthquakes 2-1, and Philippe Senderos scored twice as Houston beat Minnesota 3-0.

In the Eastern Conference, Atlanta extended their lead at the summit with goals from MLS top-scorer Josef Martinez and Hector Villalba easing United to a 2-0 win at Philadelphia Union

Montreal Impact were the only other team in the Eastern Conference to win as Algerian international Saphir Taider scored twice in a 2-1 home win over Colorado Rapids.

Second meets third on Sunday when New York Red Bulls play New York City in the Hudson River derby.