Atlanta United, unbeaten in its past five, will take on Zlatan Ibrahimovic and the L.A. Galaxy on Saturday at Stubhub Center in Carson, Calif.
The Galaxy (3-2-1) are coming off a 1-0 win at Chicago with the winner scored by Ibrahimvoic. Atlanta United is coming off a 2-2 draw with NYCFC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Kevin Baxter (@kbaxter11) of the Los Angeles Times answered three questions about Ibrahimovic because, well, that’s the story:
Q: If not for Zlatan, it seems logical to say the Galaxy would have just one win and seem not much better than last season. Is that fair to say? If so, why?
A: The Galaxy clearly would have lost the LAFC game without him. In Chicago, not sure. Terrible conditions. He scored the goal but Ola Kamara had one taken away by an offside call. They wouldn't have scored going against the wind in the second half so they probably get away with a draw without Ibra.
Q: Has he made an impact for the team off the field in terms of brand awareness, merchandise sales, media interest? Best example?
A: Huge impact. The Galaxy sold more than 1,000 replica jerseys in his first week with the team. His gear is now the best-selling in MLS. The team sold out his first three games and will almost certainly sell out three of the next four. He drew more than two dozen media to last weekend's game in Chicago is a freezing wind chill.
Q: How have his interactions been with the media, teammates, coaches and management. As you know, he doesn't have the reputation of being soft and cuddly.
A: So far he's been great. Very funny. All of his teammates says he's just a regular guy. I got that impression watching him in the airport Sunday. Earlier in his career he was different. But I think he's matured. He talks a lot about the danger of cliques and how they can divide a team. Here are some quotes from teammates:
Dave Romney: "In the locker room, he’s a normal guy. Normal as they get, pretty much. He’s a really nice guy. Just casual. He knows what he’s doing. All the guys like him."
Baggio Husidic: “He’s a great guy. Zlatan’s Zlatan outside [in] the stadium. But within the group he’s a jokester. He’s easy to talk to. He’s really welcoming to the young guys and interacts with the academy kids that come up and supportive of the younger players, which is really cool to see. It still hasn’t hit us that he’s here. I catch myself. I look up I go oh, Zlatan’s in our locker room. It’s pretty crazy. You’d be surprised. He’s one of the most welcoming players in the locker room. From Day 1 he’s been very hands on with the players, joking, breaking the ice. He’s so easy to talk to. It’s been a quick welcoming.”
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