LA Galaxy star Ibrahimovic sitting out MLS All-Star Game

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ATLANTA (AP) Galaxy forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic will remain in Los Angeles rather than play in Wednesday night's Major League Soccer All-Star Game against Juventus.

In an announcement Monday, Ibrahimovic cited the grind of playing three matches in the past week as well as the cross-country trip to face the club he played for from 2004-06.

Per MLS rules, Ibrahimovic will have to sit out the Galaxy's next league match at Colorado on Saturday.

The 36-year-old Swede got his first MLS hat trick on Sunday night, scoring the tying and go-ahead goals in a 4-3 victory over Orlando City. He has 15 goals since his debut with LA this season.

New York City FC forward David Villa also will miss the All-Star Game after missing six games with a knee injury.

Ibrahimovic and Villa were replaced on the MLS roster by Minnesota forward Darwin Quintero and New York Red Bulls midfielder Tyler Adams.

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