LA Galaxy Earn 2-0 Shutout Victory Over Atlanta United FC at Dignity Health Sports Park on Saturday Night

LOS ANGELES (Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024) – Playing in their first league match since July 20, the LA Galaxy earned a 2-0 shutout victory over Atlanta United FC before a sellout crowd of 25,174 fans at Dignity Health Sports Park on Saturday night. Riqui Puig scored the game-winning goal, while Marco Reus recorded a goal and an assist on his debut for the club in the win over Atlanta.

Marco Reus’ LA Galaxy Debut Is A Hit
In 28 minutes played as a second-half substitute, Reus tallied a goal and an assist in his debut for the Galaxy. Notably, Reus is the first player in club history to register a goal and an assist off the bench in their regular-season debut for the Galaxy. The Dortmund, Germany, native is the 28th player in Galaxy history to score on his debut for the club, and the 20th player in team history to register an assist in their first career appearance for LA.

LA Galaxy Cookin’ At Home
In 13 matches played at Dignity Health Sports Park during the 2024 campaign, the LA Galaxy hold an unbeaten record of 10-0-3 (32 GF, 17 GA). Notably, the Galaxy have won eight consecutive matches played (8-0-0) at Dignity Health Sports Park dating back to May 25, outscoring their opponents 21-9 during that span. Puig has 12 goal contributions (6 goals, 6 assists) in 11 league matches played at the venue in 2024.

Milestones Galore
With the win over Atlanta, the Galaxy became the first team in MLS history to win 400 matches in regular-season play. In 915 all-time MLS Regular Season matches played, the LA Galaxy hold a record of 400-316-199 (.546 Winning Percentage). With his appearance in the victory against Atlanta United, Miguel Berry played in his 100th career MLS Regular Season match. With the sellout crowd of 25,174 in attendance in the match against Atlanta, the LA Galaxy became the first team in MLS history to host 10,000,000 fans in regular-season play. In 457 all-time MLS Regular Season home matches, the Galaxy have hosted 10,024,253 fans combined between Rose Bowl Stadium and Dignity Health Sports Park.

Goal-Scoring Plays
LA – Riqui Puig (Marco Reus), 76th minute: Marco Reus slid a pass just outside the top of the box to Riqui Puig, who smashed his shot into the top right corner of the goal.

LA – Marco Reus, 84th minute: Gabriel Pec dribbled past his defender down the right flank and delivered a pass into the box that Marco Reus fired at Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan. Reus was first to the rebound and calmy slotted his shot into the bottom far corner.

Postgame Notes

• Through 27 matches played during the 2024 MLS Regular Season, the LA Galaxy hold a 15-5-7 record (52 GF, 36 GA; 52 points) and sit in first place in the Western Conference standings.
• The Galaxy rest in second place in the Supporters’ Shield standings, four points behind first place Inter Miami CF (17-4-5, 58 GF, 39 GA; 56 points).
• With the win over Atlanta, the Galaxy became the first team in MLS history to win 400 matches in regular-season play.
• With the sellout crowd of 25,174 in attendance in the match against Atlanta, the LA Galaxy became the first team in MLS history to host 10,000,000 fans in regular-season play.
• The Galaxy have won three consecutive league matches played (3-0-0; 8 GF, 4 GA) dating back to July 17.
• Saturday’s match marked the fifth all-time MLS Regular Season meeting between the Galaxy and Atlanta, with LA trailing the series 2-3-0 (4 GF, 9 GA).
• In two all-time matches played at home against Atlanta United, the Galaxy hold a record of 2-1-0 (4 GF, 2 GA).
• Riqui Puig recorded a goal, completed 100 of 113 passes (88.5%) and five of eight dribbles, won 11 of 17 duels and three fouls and recorded two interceptions in the win over Atlanta.
• Notably, Puig has scored in three consecutive league matches played (3 goals, 1 assist) dating back to July 17.
• Puig will miss the match against St. Louis CITY SC on Sunday, Sept. 1 due to yellow-card accumulation.
• In 28 minutes played as a second-half substitute in his debut for the Galaxy, Marco Reus tallied a goal and an assist, created a team-high three chances, completed 31 of 33 passes (93.9%) and won four possessions.
• On his 36th birthday, Maya Yoshida completed 93 of 95 passes (97.9%), recorded three clearances and won a team-high eight possessions and three interceptions.
• On his 21st birthday, Jalen Neal completed 99 of 103 passes (96.1%), recorded two clearances and won three possessions.
• In 90 minutes of action, John Nelson won five possessions, created one chance and completed 54 of 57 passes (94.7%) in the win over Atlanta.
• In his 25th appearance of the 2024 campaign, goalkeeper John McCarthy logged four shutouts and posted his sixth shutout of the season in the win over Atlanta United.
• With his appearance in the victory against Atlanta United, Miguel Berry played in his 100th career MLS Regular Season match.

Next Game
Next up, the LA Galaxy travel to face St. Louis CITY SC at CITYPARK on Sunday, Sept. 1 (11:45 a.m. PT, Free on Apple TV, FOX).**

2024 MLS Regular Season
LA Galaxy (15-5-7, 52 pts) vs. Atlanta United FC (7-12-7, 28 pts)**
Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024 – Dignity Health Sports Park (Los Angeles)

Goals by Half 1 2 F
LA Galaxy 0 2 2
Atlanta United FC 0 0 0

Scoring Summary:
LA: Puig (Reus), 76
LA: Reus, 84

Misconduct Summary:
LA: Paintsil (caution), 46
ATL: Fortune (caution), 64
LA: Puig (caution), 71

Lineups:
LA: GK John McCarthy; D Miki Yamane (Mauricio Cuevas, 86), D Jalen Neal, D Maya Yoshida ©, D John Nelson; M Edwin Cerrillo (Gastón Brugman, 62), M Mark Delgado (Marco Reus, 62), M Diego Fagundez (Miguel Berry, 62), M Riqui Puig, M Gabriel Pec, F Joseph Paintsil

Substitutes Not Used: GK Brady Scott; D Eriq Zavaleta, M Tucker Lepley, M Isaiah Parente, F Dejan Joveljić

TOTAL SHOTS: 20 (Gabriel Pec, 7); SHOTS ON GOAL: 8 (Three players tied, 2); FOULS: 8 (Edwin Cerrillo, 2); OFFSIDES: 2; CORNER KICKS: 3; SAVES: 4

ATL: GK Grad Guzan ©; D Derrick Williams, D Stian Gregersen, D Brooks Lennon, D Pedro Amador; M Bartosz Slisz, M Saba Lobjanidze (Tyler Wolff, 81), M Dax McCarty (Alexey Miranchuk, 61), M Jay Fortune; F Xande Silva (Edwin Mosquera, 72), F Jamal Thiare (Daniel Rios, 72)

Substitutes Not Used: GK Josh Cohen, D Luis Abram, D Noah Cobb, M Matthew Edwards, F Luke Brennan

TOTAL SHOTS: 17 (Saba Lobjanidze, 5); SHOTS ON GOAL: 4 (Daniel Rios, 2); FOULS: 12 (Derrick Williams, Ajani Fortune, 3); OFFSIDES: 4; CORNER KICKS: 4; SAVES: 6

Referee: Rubiel Vazquez
Assistant Referees: Cameron Blanchard, Adam Wienckowski
Fourth Official: Brandon Stevis
VAR: Kevin Stott
Weather: Clear, 70 degrees
Attendance: 25,174