L.A. Galaxy pulls away from Atlanta United in second half

Atlanta United fought off the L.A. Galaxy for 75 minutes until Riqui Puig scored from 20 yards and Marco Reus added another in the final minutes and the result was a 2-0 loss on Saturday at Dignity Health Sports Park.

The winner came when Atlanta United’s Pedro Amador and Derrick Williams got tangled, leaving the ball for Reus to square to Puig for a one-time shot into the upper right corner in the 76th minute.

Atlanta United outplayed the Galaxy in the first half until the hosts started to take control in the second, which included Brad Guzan saving a penalty kick in the second half to keep it 0-0. It was his second save of a penalty kick this season.

Losing to the L.A. Galaxy, the Western Conference leaders, wasn’t a surprise. The defeat was important because while Atlanta United (7-12-7) remained in the ninth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with eight matches remaining, the six teams below it are two points or less behind. Atlanta United trails eighth-place Toronto by five points.

“They know that each match is important,” interim manager Rob Valentino said. “We’ve touched on the last nine games that were guaranteed. Those last nine games ... we hope that we have more. We believe we have more in us, so each game is important, and it comes down to the mantra that we’ve kind of had, we take each game as it comes and we’re always going for three points. They know that at this stage of the season that every point that were fighting for really, really matters.”

Despite taking 17 shots, putting three on goal, Atlanta United was shut out for the seventh time in league play. It was the ninth time across all competitions. The Galaxy took 20 shots, putting eight on goal.

Playing its first match since Aug. 4, during which Valentino said the team “100% got better” during its training sessions, Atlanta United’s lineup was composed of striker Jamal Thiare, wingers Saba Lobjanidze and Xande Silva, midfielders Jay Fortune, Dax McCarty and Bartosz Slisz, fullbacks Brooks Lennon and Amador, centerbacks Stian Gregersen and Williams, and Guzan. New signing Alexey Miranchuk made the bench and his debut in the second half. Midfielder Tristan Muyumba did not make the roster because of hip soreness that started on Friday.

Atlanta United was very dangerous on the counterattack in the first half, creating two goals that were disallowed because of offside calls against Thiare on the first and Silva on the second. Guzan saved the Galaxy’s three shots on goal.

“We have to be more clinical on the chances we did create in the first half,” Valentino said.

Miranchuk was subbed on in the 61st minute for McCarty. Miranchuk played as a second striker beside Thiare.

The Galaxy countered by subbing in their newest signing, German standout Reus, as part of a three-player change that also included former Atlanta United player Miguel Berry coming on.

Williams was called for a handball in the 66th minute when he was fully stretched out to try to block a shot that glanced off his right arm. But Guzan dove to his left and saved Joseph Paintsil’s penalty to keep the match tied at 0.

“I mean the penalty, I think that was when I felt the shift really go,” Valentino said.

Daniel Rios and Edwin Mosquera subbed on in the 72nd minute for Silva and Thiare.

The first Galaxy goal came a few minutes later after a long period in which it pressured Atlanta United.

“I feel like we gave them the first one,” Valentino said. “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.”

The second goal allowed, scored by Reus in the 84th minute, was similar to a few given up by Atlanta United this season. The former Borussia Dortmund standout found a pocket of space between defenders in the 18-yard box. Guzan saved Reus’ first shot but he was the first to react before two Atlanta United defenders and tapped in the rebound to give the Galaxy a 2-0 lead.

Miranchuk hit the crossbar in the 87th minute in a highlight from his first appearance.

“I think it’s pretty simple,” Silva said. “In the first half we had opportunities to score. We didn’t score. And then second half they had the opportunities to score and they scored. So I think we need to be more clinical. And yeah, it cost us the game.”

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Atlanta United’s 2024 schedule

Feb. 24 Columbus 1, Atlanta United 0

March 9 Atlanta United 4, New England 1

March 17 Atlanta United 2, Orlando 0

March 23 Toronto 2, Atlanta United 0

March 31 Atlanta United 3, Chicago 0

April 6 Atlanta United 1, NYCFC 1

April 14 Atlanta United 2, Philadelphia 2

April 20 Cincinnati 2, Atlanta United 1

April 27 Atlanta United 1, Chicago 1

May 4 Minnesota 2, Atlanta United 1

May 7 Atlanta United 3, Charlotte Independence 0 in U.S. Open Cup