LA Galaxy Vs Orlando City: 3 things we learned – Zlatan the hat-trick hero

CARSON, CA - JULY 29: Zlatan Ibrahimovic of LA Galaxy celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 4-3 during the MLS match between LA Galaxy and Orlando City at StubHub Center on July 29, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA - JULY 29: Zlatan Ibrahimovic of LA Galaxy celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 4-3 during the MLS match between LA Galaxy and Orlando City at StubHub Center on July 29, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images) /
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CARSON, CA – JULY 29: Zlatan Ibrahimovic #9 of Los Angeles Galaxy battles Chris Schuler #28 of Orlando City during the Los Angeles Galaxy’s MLS match against Orlando City SC at the StubHub Center on July 29, 2018 in Carson, California. Los Angeles Galaxy won the match 4-3 (Photo by Shaun Clark/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA – JULY 29: Zlatan Ibrahimovic #9 of Los Angeles Galaxy battles Chris Schuler #28 of Orlando City during the Los Angeles Galaxy’s MLS match against Orlando City SC at the StubHub Center on July 29, 2018 in Carson, California. Los Angeles Galaxy won the match 4-3 (Photo by Shaun Clark/Getty Images) /

2. Orlando slipping way

Orlando now have the most losses in the league at 14. They still only sit six points out of a playoff spot but their recent form has indicated that that margin may only grow.

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In July, they only managed to win one match and exited the U.S. Open Cup in the quarterfinals. A far from successful month will leave them in a spot of bother heading into August. But although July has been appalling for Orlando, it is only a reflection on their whole season, one that was built with so much promise.

The money that was invested in the offseason, the players that were brought in, the football that they were playing earlier in the season to lift them into true playoff contention. Everything was on the up. Suddenly, just a few months later, they’re not at rock bottom.

As the playoffs get closer, Orlando’s matches will only get tougher. The next two fixtures against New England and DC United are must wins if they harbor any hopes of sneaking into the playoffs. But, at the moment, perhaps their focus should be on nothing more than simply staying afloat.