ATLANTA, Ga. The Atlanta United defeated the LA Galaxy at home in Mercedes Benz Stadium on Saturday 3-0 in front of a record-breaking crowd of 72,548, as the team got back to work for the first time after the All-Star break.
Coach Frank De Boer stated, “Today we were focused and you see what we are capable of”. The United played a more strategic match at a slower pace than they have in previous games. The Five Stripes were more strategic at attacking the goal. This matchup was a back and forth affair, as both teams held their own defensively. The deciding factor in this matchup was mistakes. The United were able to capitalize off of the Galaxy’s mistakes, two own goals in the first half and a penalty in the second. The Five Stripes 22-year-old Miles Robinson was named man of the match as he had an impressive performance locking down Uriel Antuna from the Galaxy.
The first half off play was defensive and conservative for both teams. Neither team displayed any aggression towards the goal. Atlanta United began to pick up the pace with an attack towards the goal. The first score of the half came in the 23rd minute which as an “Own Goal”, from number four Dave Romney deflection off of #10 Pity Martinez attempt. The United second goal of the half would come 20 minutes later in 43rd minute, another “Own Goal” by number 21 Giancarlo Gonzales of LA Galaxy as he deflected an attempt at the goal. Josef Martinez, Ezequiel Barco and Gonzalo Martinez all had two total shots in the first half for the united. Sebastian Lletget and Uriel Antuna led their with two shot attempts a piece for the Galaxy. Atlanta’s Brad Guzan had two total saves and Galaxy’s David Bingham had two total saves.
Both teams played with caution and strategy as displayed by the close first half statistics. Atlanta United attempted seven total shots in the first half of play with two on target, with the LA Galaxy with eight total shots and four on target. The Five Stripes edged the Galaxy in duels won 23 to 21. United also won the edge of possession 56.9% and LA with just 43.1%.
The second half of the match wasn’t much different from the first half. Both teams were back and forth with the action. Atlanta had 19 total shots, seven on target. LA with 11 total shots and four on target. LA led duels won in the second half with 53 total and the United with 49. The United possession percentage was slightly lower than the first half at 54.7% as possession for Galaxy increased to 45.3%. Brad Guzan for the Five Stripes had a total of four saves in the second half as David Bingham saves increased in the second half to six. Josef Martinez scored off of a penalty in the 71st minute giving the Atlanta United the 3-0 victory over the Galaxy.
United is now 9-1-3 at home. With this victory, they become number one in the Eastern Conference. Atlanta’s next match will be on the road against number nine in the Eastern Conference Orlando City SC.
Written by Marcus Jones
