Ibrahimović Scores Hat-Trick, Now 2 Goals Back of Vela & +250 Odds to Win MLS Golden Boot
- Swedish superstar’s 26 goals driving LA Galaxy towards playoffs
- Mexican idol of LAFC has 28 and hunts down regular season scoring record
- Last year’s winner Martinez of Atlanta Utd in stunning form with 24
Zlatan Ibrahimovic would doubtless insist he is MLS’s greatest-ever player whatever the statistics show.
But after his stunning hat-trick for LA Galaxy in a 7-2 defeat of Sporting Kansas City on Sunday, the Swedish superstar may soon have a leading goalscorer’s Golden Boot trophy to underline his flamboyant claims.
It took his tally for the season to 26 – just two behind leading marksman Carlos Vela of the runaway Western Conference leaders, Los Angeles FC.
The oddsmakers still price Vela as the -175 favorite to win the individual prize with four regular season fixtures remaining.
MLS 2019-20 Golden Boot Winner Odds
| Player | Goals | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Carlos Vela | 28 | -175 |
| Zlatan Ibrahimovic | 26 | +250 |
| Josef Martinez | 24 | +450 |
*Odds taken at 2019/09/18
Goals scored in the playoffs do not count towards winning the prize.
But Ibrahimovic has moved into +250, shortened from +625 in early August, while last season’s record-setting top goal-getter, Josef Martinez, of Atlanta United, has 24 strikes to his name and is priced at +450.
Motivation and Form at 37
As fifth-placed LA Galaxy chase a place in the playoffs via the Western Conference, Ibrahimovic, 37, is displaying both the motivation and the form to drive them into the post-season shoot-out. He is now Galaxy’s record single-season goalscorer.
He has scored ten times in his last six appearances.
In the autumn of his career, he is still capable of impressive feats and in his current mood, he has a major chance of hunting down Vela over the coming weeks.
Zlatan vs. Vela: One will win the @MLS MVP award but will they both make the playoffs? @LAGalaxy @LAFC @ibra_offiical @11carlosV https://t.co/jcUhuNG2Gq
— Kevin Baxter (@kbaxter11) September 17, 2019
Rival Vela, 30, has six goals in his last six matches with the latest coming in a 1-1 draw with Philadelphia Union last weekend following a two-game lay-off with a hamstring injury.
The 26-year-old Martinez has impressively scored in each of his last 14 MLS appearances – claiming 19 goals in that run.
He played 66 minutes against Philadelphia before being substituted.
The 26-year-old Martinez has impressively scored in each of his last 14 MLS appearances – claiming 19 goals in that run with his team now seeking a home playoff berth.
He clearly cannot be written off in such a rich vein of form and has an extra game in which to build his tally at Cincinnati on Wednesday, September 18, at 7:30 pm EST.
Although LAFC’s place in the playoff semifinal has long been secured, Mexican international Vela’s personal motivation is to attempt to beat the MLS individual regular-season goal-scoring record of 31 set by Venezuelan Martinez last season.
Points Record Chase for LAFC
With 64 points after 30 matches, first-placed LAFC can beat the record regular season points tally set of 71 set by New York Red Bulls in the Eastern Conference in 2018. Vela is determined to help them pull it off even though the team has not won in four matches.
Ibrahimovic was twice leading scorer in Italy – Cappocanoniere – with Internazionale in 2008-09 and AC Milan in 2011-12.
The Swede may be able to plunder more goals because of a favorable fixture run-in for the Galaxy. And he may be helped by LAFC’s stumble in form.
Check out our new article "Playoff picture: LAFC slipping? SKC have any hope?"!https://t.co/3i5I5EYZlu#procodile #procobeste
— Test (@Test27817565) September 16, 2019
He was three times leading scorer in France’s Ligue 1 with PSG in 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2015-16.
The Swede may be able to plunder more goals because of a favorable fixture run- in for the Galaxy.
The next match is at home against Montreal who are outside the playoff places in the East.
Then there is a tougher trip to Real Salt Lake, fourth in the West and also seeking a favorable playoff seeding.
The following home game is against Vancouver – bottom of the Western Conference.
Finally, Galaxy travel to meet Houston who are currently one from bottom in 11th place in the West.
Testing Run-In to Campaign
Vela has a potentially more testing run-in than Ibrahimovic. His next match with LAFC – who have secured a playoff place – is at home against Toronto who are well-placed at fourth in the East.
Another home game follows against struggling Houston.
Atlanta United clinches spot in MLS playoffs https://t.co/3q7xVYq16j
— AJC (@ajc) September 15, 2019
Then there is a trip to Minnesota United who are third in the West
The final fixture against 10th-placed Colorado Rapids could offer rich pickings.
Martinez follows the trip to Cincinnati with a home game against San Jose. Then there is a visit to New York City and another road trip to Montreal before a regular season finale at home against New England.
Pick: Zlatan Ibrahimovic +250
John Dillon is a leading member of the UK's sporting media, having spent three decades as a national newspaper soccer and sports writer, broadcaster and author. He has covered five World Cups, six European Championships and was Chief Sports Writer at the Daily Express for 14 years.
