There was no debate that NYCFC were the better team in Week 11 as they ran out 2-0 winners against an LA Galaxy team that previously sported a perfect 6W-0L-0D record at Dignity Health Sports Park.
The debate and discussion was instead reserved for a clash between NYCFC goalkeeper Sean Johnson and LA Galaxy forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
It was the 86th minute when a shot by Ibrahimovic struck the crossbar. As the ball bounced out of play on a follow-up shot, video shows Johnson colliding with the Galaxy star, who turned around to confront the 'keeper, leading to a bizarre tangle of bodies and Johnson grabbing his neck and face while on the ground.
Both players were shown a yellow card for unsporting behavior. Here's what Johnson said after the match:
“I think you guys will watch the replay and decide for yourselves," Johnson told the media. "But at the end of the day, in the heat of the battle, you want to do what you can to protect the guys, make sure we see the game out no matter what and make sure they know we are here to play, we are not going to be walked over.
"I think in any moment, anybody is up for the challenge, including myself," Johnson continued. "And you know, Zlatan is a talented player, he obviously knows what he is doing, he is a clever boy and you know, it is a part of the game. I would be frustrated if I were him too, you know. Can’t blame him for his frustration at that point in the game.
"Obviously our boys did a job today to keep him off the scoresheet and he is only happy when he is scoring, so job done, we will take the three points and go back. I think we can look back and say we got the best out of the whole situation today.”
