For the second match in a row, the LA Galaxy failed to score a goal, falling to Atlanta United by a score of 3-0.
“It’s frustrating with how things are going the past couple of weeks,” Perry Kitchen said after the match. “We have to respond.”
At this time, the Galaxy sits in fourth in the Western Conference standings, one point behind the Seattle Sounders, who have yet to play this weekend.
Head coach Guillermo Barros Schelotto had to make several changes to his starting lineup after the suspensions following the Portland Timbers match. Zlatan Ibrahimovic picked up his fifth yellow card, which results in an automatic suspension. Meanwhile, both Efrain Alvarez and Diego Polenta picked up straight red cards late in the game against the Timbers.
Uriel Antuna moved over to the striker position, while Sebastian Lletget slotted into the right flank. Perry Kitchen formed a midfield of three alongside Jonathan Dos Santos and Joe Corona. In defense, Jorgen Skjelvik and Dave Romney got the nod for this match.
Favio Alvarez played Mexican international Antuna in behind the Atlanta United defense five minutes after the start of the match. Atlanta’s goalkeeper, Brad Guzan, came off his line down to close off any angle that Antuna had and stopped the ensuing shot.
Atlanta piles on the pressure
The opening goal finally came in the 22nd minute from Atlanta through a Dave Romney own goal. Pity Martinez tried to play a ball through the box. The Galaxy defender attempted to clear the ball away, but it wound up going into the back of the net.
Atlanta nearly had a second goal four minutes later through Ezequiel Barco. However, Barco’s attempt slammed off the crossbar and went back into play.
The pressure kept coming from the hosts. Josef Martinez then forced David Bingham to dive low and to his right to produce a stop to keep the deficit at one.
With three minutes remaining before the halftime interval, Atlanta finally got their second goal of the match which had been coming for some time. It was nearly a carbon copy goal too.
Justin Meram flashed a low cross from the left hand side. Giancarlo Gonzalez dove low to try to clear the ball away, but like Romney, he beat his goalkeeper instead.
VAR was called into action during the 70th minute when Gonzalez potentially fouled Emerson Hyndman. Martinez stepped up from 12 yards away and slotted home his history making penalty kick.
Next Up
The LA Galaxy hit the road once more next Sunday afternoon when the face off against D.C. United. Kickoff for that match is scheduled for 4:30 PM.
