Atlanta United’s 1-0 loss handed Los Angeles FC their 100th win in club history. A crowd of 43,128 was on hand to witness history as the visitors tied the Seattle Sounders for the fastest team to reach 100 regular season wins in MLS history (excluding the shootout era). The lone goal of the match came from LAFC’s Mateusz Bogusz.
Atlanta’s closest chance of the first half came in the 28th minute. Saba Lobzhanidze penetrated the 18-yard box and let the ball off to an unmarked Xande Silva whose one-timed effort soared wide of the post. Another chance came in the 35th minute when Saba penetrated down the right side (once again) and lobbed a pass to Brooks Lennon. Lennon then let off a soft pass to Daniel Ríos who fired a shot wide of the post and into the stands.
I think it is injuries, confidence, all of the things you can think. Then, things aren’t going our way and it seems like we keep digging a hole deeper and deeper. All it takes is one moment though to turn things around, one win or one goal, it could change the whole season around. I feel positive inside because I know what we have in this dressing room is good enough to be top of the table and competing for a Cup. It is just getting that first win again that is the tough part.”
Derrick Williams on the difference between the team now and the start of the season
A pivotal moment in the match transpired in the 60th minute when a VAR decision handed Atlanta United goalkeeper Brad Guzan a red card for a challenge he made on a 50-50 ball just outside the box. Josh Cohen and Thiago Almada came on for Daniel Ríos and an ejected Brad Guzan. LAFC had a free kick from the spot just outside the 18. Mateusz Bogusz stepped up to the spot and scored a goal off a deflection from the wall.
Almada’s presence was welcomed and was an immediate spark in their attack. He penetrated the box in the 65th minute and as he attacked towards the left, he shot to his right and almost beat the keeper as it went just wide of the post.
The game got even more interesting in the 81st minute as Eduard Atuesta received a second yellow card for a foul he committed just outside his penalty area, evening the match with both sides having 10 men.
Atlanta tried their best, sending errant crosses left and right, but never finding the head or foot of a teammate. There’s a gigantic hole in Atlanta’s attack when GG isn’t available and it was on full display tonight. After the match, Atlanta United head coach Gonzalo Pineda sidestepped a question about the club’s future if they sell the Greek striker to Mexican club Cruz Azul. With all of the pressure on Pineda, the club will have to swing for the fences next week.
We were not expecting LAFC to play with a back five. They did it at the end of one game, exactly the same kind of organization in the back. We knew about Ilie Sanchez being out, so that changed the game plan slightly because we planned something different.”
Gonzalo Pineda on his tactic using two strikers tonight
Atlanta United will work to set things right as they hit the road to face Inter Miami CF in Miami, Florida on Wednesday, May 29 (7:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass, 92.9 The Game, La Mejor). All Atlanta United matches are available with an MLS Season Pass subscription, located on the Apple TV app.
-Jon Jones
Photo: Courtesy of ATL UTD