After being off the last couple of weekends, Atlanta United is back in action on Saturday night when it travels to California to take on the LA Galaxy. With only nine matches remaining in the regular season, the 5-Stripes are looking to get on a roll in order to secure a playoff spot. Atlanta enters the weekend in ninth place in the Eastern Conference standings, two points behind eighth-place Toronto FC and six points behind seventh-place Orlando City. On the other side of the pitch, LA Galaxy sits atop the Western Conference standings following the Leagues Cup break. They will be looking to regain the run of form they had prior to the mid-summer tournament when they won three of their last four MLS regular season matches. Let’s take a look at the Tools to the Match presented by Home Depot against LA Galaxy.
Control the tempo of the match from the opening whistle
One of the keys to success on Saturday night for the 5-Stripes will be to control the pace of the match from the jump. To achieve that, Atlanta’s midfield will have to be composed on the ball and choose the right moments to push the team forward. What Atlanta can’t afford to do is give away possessions cheaply and leave gaps for LA to attack in transition. The Galaxy features some of the most dangerous players in MLS on the break. If Atlanta can control the tempo, stay compact defensively and not allow the Galaxy to get into their offensive rhythm, the 5-Stripes will have a good chance to bring home points against the Western Conference leaders.
Force LA Galaxy’s playmakers to play both sides of the ball
One of the main strengths for this new-look Galaxy side this season are its playmakers. And yes, it has multiple playmakers who can punish you at any moment. Most of the attack is centered around former Barcelona star Riqui Puig. Since arriving during the summer of 2022, Puig has 42 goal contributions in 58 starts. He’s already achieved new career-highs with eight goals and 11 assists this season. If he’s given time and space in the attack, he will create scoring chances. On the wings, LA features two dangerous players as well in Gabriel Pec and Joseph Paintsil. They have combined for 18 goals and 19 assists on the year and will provide a big test for Atlanta’s fullbacks in this match.
One of the best ways to neutralize those three playmakers will be to keep possession of the ball and force them to defend. Saturday night will be a big test for Atlanta’s defense.
Find connections quickly in the attack
Atlanta’s big summer signing, Alexey Miranchuk, will be available for selection on Saturday night against the Galaxy. The midfielder has all the credentials to be one of the top players in MLS. He’s had success in multiple countries, most recently in Serie A in Italy with Atalanta where he helped the team win the UEFA Europa League. Now that he’s here, one of the keys to success on Saturday and moving forward will be how fast Miranchuk can make those connections with the fellow members of Atlanta’s attack.
Saba Lobjanidze and Daniel Ríos lead Atlanta’s attack this season with six goals each. Jamal Thiaré has added five goals to give the 5-Stripes 11 goals from the striker position combined. Xande Silva (two goals, two assists) is a player who could benefit from Miranchuk’s playmaking ability. The quicker the front players can mesh, the better Atlanta will be on Saturday and moving forward.
Fans can tune in on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV on Saturday night at 10:30 pm ET when the action kicks off at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. To hear the action on radio, tune into Sports Radio 92.9 The Game or Sirius XM FC 157 (English) or La Mejor – AM 1600 (Spanish).
