Atlanta United’s winning momentum came to a frustrating end on Saturday as it fell 2-1 to visiting LA Galaxy at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in what was the team’s last home game before the FIFA World Cup.
The loss drops Atlanta to 13th in the East with 10 points in 12 matches and a 3-8-1 record. The team will now head on the road for seven consecutive matches, including the quarterfinals of the US Open Cup.
Not deviating much from the lineup that earned a 3-1 victory over CF Montreal last weekend, Tata Martino made two changes for this match. Juan Berrocal came in for Enea Mihaj at left center back, while Elias Baez took over at left back.
Although the Five Stripes dictated the tempo of the game for the most part, they struggled to make it count early on. It looked like they would take the lead before halftime after Juan Berrocal headed home a corner kick, but the goal was disallowed due to interference.
The breakthrough came in the 69th minute when Jay Fortune, who had subbed on shortly prior, made a sensational slaloming run to the top of the box before unleashing a beautiful curling shot across the face of the goal. His first goal of the season and third for the first team was truly a thing of beauty.
The joy in Mercedes-Benz Stadium didn’t last, however, as the Galaxy canceled Fortune’s golazo with a deadly counterattack that ended with Gabriel Pec in a 1v1 against Hoyos, which the 2024 Newcomer of the Year finished with ease.
The Brazilian winger struck again minutes later to put the visitors in front, this time cleaning up the rebound from his own shot after an initial save by Lucas Hoyos. With about 11 minutes left, the Five Stripes were down 2-1.
Although some of the officiating was questionable, the Five Stripes have themselves to blame for allowing the Galaxy to grow into a match that was firmly under their control. Juan Berrocal and Elias Baez continue to be defensive liabilities that opponents are finding ways to easily exploit. The team also still lacks a cutting edge up top. Yes, chances are being created, but the trouble is in finishing them off. No one can do that reliably, and that’s always going to come back to bite you when you’re so fragile at the back.
Atlanta United now begins a three-month road trip by facing its bitter rival, Orlando City SC, during Matchday 13 of the MLS regular season at Inter&Co Stadium on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at 7:30 pm EST. The Five Stripes will face the Lions again on Tuesday, May 19, at 7:30 pm EST in the quarterfinals of the US Open Cup.
What did you think of the match? Let us know in the comments below.
Why do we keep playing Hoyos? He just leaks goals. Can we get a young competent keeper, oh wait we have one.
I wouldn’t blame Hoyos on this one. Dude made all the saves he should’ve, and then some.
Agreed…did what he could after poor defense on the first goal. Saved the initial shot on the 2nd goal that happened to bounce in Pec’s favor instead of away from goal. This wasn’t on him this game.
Berrocal, Baez and Lath are terrible at football. They are all playing at least one, maybe two levels above their competency. And we have liabilities all across our back line, but starting berrocal and Baez next to each other was criminal.
This roster is better overall than last year, as are team play and some individual performance (like alexei, Muyumba). But we were in such a deep hole that it is still going to take a couple of transfer windows to get us above water.
Agree…I was blasted last game for giving LL a “1” after he scored a goal. I actually think he moved around and worked harder this game but still way below average striker. No poaching, not a target, no shots from distance, no hold up play, even his pace is not evident. I bet he is faster than Paintsil but you wouldn’t know it from this game.
Feel the team as a whole played well which is improvement, well enough to win even but YES…in comes Reus, granted world class player, and BAM the back line looks worthless.
Still come away from this one feeling like there IS hope for the team. Specifically the 3 you mentioned HAVE to be addressed sooner than later.
Baez is worse than Amador, plain and simple. He’s made a few good plays here and there but i’d expect that at this level. But when you’re a liability defensively, that’s a problem.
Berrocal has always been a liability. With his loan expiring in June, dump him and pick up another solid CB that can help build this teams defense.
Also, some may disagree with me, but Brennan isn’t 1st team material. He’s got the same move every time and it’s annoying seeing him on the ball. Amador, if needed, is a better left winger.
Also, as I say this, I see a rumor (unverified) that Tata may be requesting Araujo to come back this summer and that Miggy may be entertaining offers from Russia. I was never an Araujo fan, so my first thought is no. Miggy entertaining offers from russia seems sketch.
Agree with all of this. Baez’s defensive issues are really surprising. I was expecting a lot more out of him on that end of the field given how much he played for a defensively solid San Lorenzo team last year. Maybe it was a different setup or tactics, or just cover by better CBs and CMs, but he’s kind of a mess this year. I see some good plays at times on defense, but he gets caught out of position way too much.
Berrocal’s loan can’t end soon enough. He’s too slow to make up for bad positioning or play a high line. He did well to get on the end of that cross for the called back goal (that was about the softest GK interference I’ve seen). He also seems the most adept of our CBs at playing the ball forward, but I’d prioritize actual defending over those secondary duties at CB.
Brennan isn’t a starter (yet). He works hard, he takes guys on, but I agree he’s become a bit predictable in his take ons. He’s also easily pushed off the ball. I think he’s got potential, but he’s still got work to do to be an obvious starter.
“Juan Berrocal and Elias Baez continue to be defensive liabilities that opponents are finding ways to easily exploit.”
This. Berrocal slow as molasses. Baez can’t defend and offers nothing going forward. Why start them
Both? Why after all the subs did Amador stay on the bench? Was he hurt?
Fortunately, Berrocal is a loan player, so we can cut our losses this summer. Unfortunately, that means our already low CB depth becomes gravely low depth of 2 true CBs.
Such a good FO, getting rid of two young, skilled defenders last year.
100%