A rare sight awaits us this evening as the LA Galaxy visit Mercedes-Benz Stadium for only the third time ever as Atlanta United- get this- looks to *extend their active win streak* from three games to four. That’s one of those sentences you laugh about as you type it.
The Five Stripes will play in friendly confines for the final time before being evicted by some tournament going on this summer, not to return until August 15th. A few matches remain until the summer break, including back to back MLS and Open Cup matches in Orlando, but tonight is Atlanta’s last chance to take advantage of a hometown backing.
First, let’s check out some head-to-head stats, courtesy of stats.scarvesandspikes.com:
Suprisingly, Atlanta United leads the all time head to head against the Galaxy, but the only two meetings over the past four years have gone the Galaxy’s way by a 2-0 scoreline. Those early matchups between the two sides, especially in the Benz, were big wins for the Five Stripes… but so long ago.
Bringing it back to more recent times, Atlanta’s attack has come back to life over the past couple weeks. Last weekend saw both Latte Lath and Saba Lobjanidze’s names back on the scoresheet in a home win against Montreal, earning Saba a spot on the MLS Team of the Week with his brace. Can the newfound goalscoring form continue against a tougher Western Conference opponent?
The Galaxy, meanwhile, come off of two impressive results over some top teams in the Conference, picking up a win against a high flying RSL team and then coming away with a draw against the league leading Vancouver Whitecaps. Both results came at home in Carson, though, and cross country away trips are difficult for any team.
Injury wise, Atlanta still lists Miguel Almiron as questionable for tonight, with Tata Martino describing him as “day-to-day” as he recovers from a knee injury suffered in Chattanooga last month. If available, it would be interesting to see how the team would adjust to fit him into the lineup given the current form and mometum built from last weekend’s roster. Steven Alzate remains out, and defender Ronald Hernandez shows up as questionable with an abdominal injury.
The Galaxy have a notable injury of their own, as striker Joao Klauss remains sidelined after a surgery to repair ligaments in his left foot after an injury last month. LA’s threat is still a formidable one, though, boasting Joseph Paintsil, Gabriel Pec, and of course, Marco Reus.
Catch up on some more info on tonight’s opponent with our 3 Questions series, this time featuring Edgar Zuniga from News Across the Galaxy.
3 Questions about the LA Galaxy with News Across the Galaxy’s Edgar Zuniga
Talking about the LA Galaxy as they enter the Benz on Wednesday.
If you’re not headed to the Benz to catch a last glimpse of the Five Stripes for a while, feel free to tune in on Apple TV, no MLS Season Pass required. If audio is more your vibe, 92.9 The Game has your English language coverage, while La Mejor is your go-to for Spanish radio.
No matter where you are, or how things look on the pitch, feel free to chime in on the match down below in our match thread for tonight as the Five Stripes go for four in a row.
Atlanta United’s Lineup:
LA Galaxy’s Lineup:
How to Watch:
Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
Kickoff Time: Saturday, May 9th, 7:40 PM ET
Available TV/Streaming: Apple TV
Available Radio: 92.9 The Game, La Mejor 1600/1460/1130 AM
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This team is so frustrating. Complete lack of awareness on defense and lack of final third movement again. Still it should be a draw with the terrible corner kick foul call. Still no goals on corners since August 2024. Thus we have no real set piece tactics. We need a legitimate striker. Once again ELL did absolutely nothing and couldn’t win a one on one. This was an absolute crap show.
ugh, how do I let myself keep getting fooled by this same thing: Atlanta looks good, then they shut off for 5 minutes and let dumb easy goals in. The formula hasn’t changed, and yet I continue getting my hopes up.
Midfield has looked better, but LL is a complete bust. He hustles his tail off, so I applaud him for that, but he is not effective
Baez is bad.
100%. He’s directly responsible for both goals.
And Amador sits the bench.
You know the reffing is bad when both the coaches get yellow cards for arguing with the ref.
Looking good until the orange man started ruining everything… sports imitating politics
What on Earth was that called back for?
Galarza impeding the keeper???? Seems like bs to me.
I am more curious to see if this will be the lineup they will use when we play Orlando next week since we play them twice in a span of 4 days