Breaktime’s over. After three weeks of Atlanta United-free soccer, the Five Stripes are finally back in action as the MLS regular season begins the post-Leagues Cup home stretch. Nine matches remain for an Atlanta side currently holding the ninth place and final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference, but have as many as five teams in hot pursuit within three points of separation.
On the flip side, the LA Galaxy (14-5-7) sit at the top of the Western Conference, powered by high performing attacking players like Riqui Ruig, Joseph Paintsil, Miguel Berry… kidding on that last one, but did I mention that they signed Borussia Dortmund legend Marco Reus over the break and that he’s cleared to make his debut tonight? The Galaxy had a similarly lengthy break after getting knocked out of Leagues Cup in the Round of 32, giving them plenty of time to rest and reset for the final run of games.
On the subject of debuts, Atlanta United’s newest Designated Player is also available for selection. Alexey Miranchuk is set to make his highly anticipated debut as the Five Stripes’ DP playmaker, providing some help to fill a large gap in the team since the departure of Thiago Almada and Giorgos Giakoumakis. Daniel Rios is also available, having recovered from an injury picked up in the Santos Laguna match. Only Ronald Hernandez and Quentin Westberg are listed as out for the match.
The late show in Los Angeles is scheduled for a 10:40 PM ET start, with broadcasting for free Apple TV with an Apple ID login. Radio coverage is provided in English on 92.9 The Game and Sirius XM channel 157 and in Spanish on La Mejor.
Before then, move on down to the match thread in the comments below to discuss the pre, during, and post-match happenings from the West Coast.
Atlanta United’s Lineup:
LA Galaxy’s Lineup:
How to Watch:
Venue: Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, California
Kickoff Time: Saturday, August 24th; 10:40 PM ET
Available TV/Streaming: Apple TV (Free with Apple ID)
Available Radio: 92.9 The Game, Sirius XM 157, La Mejor 1600/1460/1130 AM
This thread will be your match thread. We don’t have many rules here. We just ask that you don’t insult each other personally and treat each other with respect. Debates can get heated and that’s fine, but name-calling and petty insults will get you banned. If you see a comment that you feel is out of line, please report it and it will be dealt with.
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I really wish anyone from the org would just shoot straight with us. Tell us we have given up. Tell us we are trying again in the Winter. Tell us that Boca has compromising pictures of everyone in the FO.
We had 50 mil and got a ghost? Meanwhile, Galaxy just trots out a guy from Dortmund alongside the likes of Puig and Paintsil. Where do we send return packages for the rest of Seattle’s old personnel?
Another sliding miss hit from rios to end the night… so tough to watch. Last sliver of hope and optimism gone
How tall is our new guy? He looks like a giant
1.82 meters or just under 5’10”
Double poop
Good enough to hang for 75 min but eventually our lack of any real offense threat proves too much for the defense and midfield
Their new guy is much better than our new guy.
Even worse, Reus is on a xAM deal, not a designated player
Well I wasn’t depressed until this comment.
Hang on—we’ve got Miranchuk on a DP contract?
THAT is the best DP mid we could find?
I get that he is very new, but he was not impressive in ANY way last night.
No one on this team has any idea how to score. AU is not making the playoffs. How does Boca still have a job?
Night night
Miranchuk Is invisible so far.
Poop 🙁
Hmmm. Shot on frame. Goal.
Guz with the Pk save !
My absolute bitch with MLS – strikers who miss the goal by 20 ft over top bar. I guess if you can get the ball on frame you don’t play MLS.
It’s certainly AU’s issue. The ghost of Marcelino as all his shots, PKs included, were over the bar.
Why am I dumb enough to believe that we can win?
Based on the first half, it’s conceivable.
I like their chant that they’re doing
My God we cannot buy a goal
Where is muyumba?
Good point idk
He picked up a hip injury.
Must have been recently. He wasn’t on availability report.
Yeah. I’m guessing he picked it up yesterday in some sort of training.
Why is it so painful for us to get up field? We make some really amazing dribbles and tight passes but still have their entire team ahead of us? Tactically, what’s happening when that happens?
Need a new/real coach
I have to say these are two ugly uniforms
We are bouta take the L, I just feel it. Then again, I am really tired so…
Hey everyone. I guess wearing your team colors is just not a thing in soccer. Based on what I’m seeing in this game
Unfortunately it is, and we’re after 2019/before 2026
Remix on Imagine by John Lennon:
Imagine no ATL sports pain *piano
It’s easy if you try (not really tbh) *piano
No losing at all *piano
Only winning and happiness *piano
A game ? You sure there isn’t another tournament we want to do in the middle of the season. Continuity is unimportant
I would assume Miranchuk will play today, but I think he comes off the bench and plays maybe 15-20 min?
Obviously it can change based on what’s happening in the game, but I assume it’ll be 30 minutes to a half and 45-60 against Charlotte.