Atlanta United came out of the Leagues Cup break looking well-rested, playing on the front foot as they challenged the top team in the Western Conference for 75 minutes Saturday night. The two sides played an exciting match, but L.A. Galaxy found two goals late to deflate Atlanta's confidence and preserve three points.
How did the goals happen?
A foul called on Atlanta United led to a penalty kick for L.A. in the 67th minute. Forward Joseph Paintsil took the kick, driving it low. Atlanta United goalkeeper Brad Guzan waited until the last moment to dive to his left -- and his guess was right. He stopped the shot, a massive save to keep the match 0-0.
Although the veteran made the save, that moment changed the direction of the match.
“The penalty -- that’s when I felt the shift really go," said interim head coach Rob Valentino. "I thought for a good chunk of the game we were defending really well and then the penalty didn’t help. It obviously swayed momentum their way a little bit and then they got a goal about 10 minutes later after the penalty. I think that was a big momentum change."
Riqui Puig broke the 75-minute scoreless deadlock. New Galaxy signing and world-class star Marco Reus played a part as a second-half substitute. On the ball, Reus exercised patience to draw Atlanta United’s defense and create space for his new teammate. Puig received the pass from Reus and put a stunner in the back of the net to give the home team the go-ahead goal.
Reus would follow up his first career MLS assist with his first career MLS goal in the 84th minute. He started the play and eventually got the ball back in the center of the 18-yard box. Guzan blocked the initial shot from Reus, but the German midfielder finished his own rebound to double Galaxy’s lead.
Did L.A. Galaxy look the part of a top Western Conference team?
In their retro kits, Greg Vanney’s team displayed several dynamic pieces. It was two of those stars who took the first attempts of the match for L.A. First, Gabriel Pec in the eighth minute. Two minutes later, Riqui Puig created space with a quick change of pace. That shot lacked the strength to slide past Guzan.
As many weapons as L.A. possesses, Atlanta United has been dangerous against first-place teams this season, which they proved on May 29 when they beat Eastern Conference leader Inter Miami CF 3-1, also on the road. Atlanta came out energetic Saturday and on the front foot, after a break during Leagues Cup that lasted nearly three weeks, long enough for the group to refer to it as a “mini preseason.”
If there were any positives coming out of a 2-0 loss, it's that Atlanta United contended for 60-70 minutes and made it tough at times for one of the best teams in the league. But with eight matches remaining in the regular season, and Atlanta hovering on the playoff line, there's not a lot of time for moral victories.
What was working for Atlanta United?
Intricate triangle passing in the final third led to what was almost the opening goal for Atlanta. Jay Fortune played a tight ball to Pedro Amador making a run in behind L.A.'s backline. The fullback crossed it low to Jamal Thiaré lurking near the goal line. Thiaré tapped the ball in but the offside flag was up.
Fortune showed flashes of bravery, leading the charge more than once, and the Homegrown took a confident shot in the 26th minute that was well-struck but sailed over the crossbar. In the 30th minute, Fortune was the beneficiery of a fast-moving transition that brought Atlanta United up the pitch, but his shot was blocked by the L.A. defense.
Atlanta United displayed good defending at moments. Even though he gave up two goals, overall it was a strong night for Guzan, who made six saves. When L.A. played a long ball over the top in the 54th minute to Paintsil, Stian Gregersen showed poise and speed, tracking back to slow down the play. The center back did not lose his mark and eventually poked the ball away to stop Galaxy’s attack.
"I feel like we gave them the first one, or they didn’t have to earn it as much which is really disappointing because they defended so hard and aggressive for a good chunk of time," Valentino said. "I was hoping that as we got the subs on they could make an impact. Unfortunately, we were chasing the game 1-0 and that changed quite a bit for us."
So if Atlanta United played so well, why couldn't they score?
It felt like Atlanta might have a goal coming – either by way of a long-range shot from Saba Lobjanidze or a tap-in from Thairé who seemed always ready to sneak in behind the Los Angeles backline.
But the last action was missing at times for Atlanta United. In the 10th minute, Atlanta nearly exploited L.A. when Fortune played a ball in behind to Xande Silva. The winger had space to point out his target, but the shot went straight to L.A. goalkeeper John McCarthy. Of the two best chances involving Thiaré, one was called back due to offsides. The other was stopped by McCarthy when Atlanta United very nearly scored off the kickoff to open the second half.
At halftime | At full time | |
|---|---|---|
L.A. Galaxy | 0.55 | 4.15 |
Atlanta United | 1.32 | 1.92 |
Atlanta United had their chances but weren't able to capitalize. And when you face a team that's contending for the Supporters' Shield, you have to make the most of your chances.
“I think it’s pretty simple. In the first half we had the opportunity and needed to score and we didn’t score," said winger Xande Silva. "Then the second half they had the opportunity and scored. I think we need to be more clinical and it cost us the game.”
Did Alexey Miranchuk see minutes for Atlanta?
The headline signings for both clubs during the summer transfer window came on in the second half to make their career MLS debuts. Alexey Miranchuk entered the match for Atlanta United. The midfielder signed with the club from Atalanta in Italy’s Serie A and is expected to be a strong chance creator for Atlanta’s attack.
“I can see he has a beautiful left foot," Xande Silva said. "He’s a guy who likes to make good passes in behind and I think he’s going to help the team in the future.”
We saw Pedro Amador for the first time during Leagues Cup, but the new fullback signed this summer also made his MLS debut Saturday for Atlanta.
On the other side, Reus also made his league debut. The midfielder signed with Los Angeles after a storied career at Borussia Dortmund in Bundesliga.
What’s next for Atlanta United?
It’s back-to-back away games as the 5-Stripes follow up this weekend’s trip to the West Coast with another road match. The next one, however, is a little closer to home. Atlanta stays on the same coast and travels north to face Charlotte FC at Bank of America Stadium on August 31 for the next chapter of this budding rivalry.
Then, Atlanta United has back-to-back home matches:
- September 14 vs. Nashville SC | Latin Heritage Night
- September 18 vs. Inter Miami CF | Full venue match
