There was a lot to digest in LAFC's 1-0 win over Atlanta United in one of Major League Soccer's most exciting and surprising games of the 2024 season.
The two biggest teams in MLS faced each other inside the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in a game that would end with both teams playing with 10 players. However, the first half did not live up to expectations with a few missed chances from both sides.
That all changed in the 45th second. LAFC's Mateusz Bogusz went through the goal, looking to drive past USMNT goalkeeper Brad Guzan. Guzan came off his line trying to get a header off Bogusz's face with the ball out of play to score the Atlanta goal.
But the Five Stripes were unable to restart the game after a VAR review by referee Sergii Boiko showed Guzan had deliberately brought down Bogusz with his right leg after trying to clear him – meaning he denied a goal-scoring opportunity and was sent off in the 60th minute. .
Bogusz then stepped up to take a free kick that was just outside the Atlanta penalty area, and the Pole scored with a small assist from Bartosz Slisz's header. Backup goalie Josh Cohen got his fingers on the hit but couldn't stop it.
Despite Eduard Atuesta being shown a late yellow card, the Black and Gold held on for all three points in a dramatic final 10 minutes.
Here are three key takeaways from LAFC's road win over Atlanta United.
It wasn't pretty, but LAFC still got the job done at home against Atlanta – a true sign of a contender. The Black and Gold Defense stood tall after a stellar performance from the back three pairs of Jesus Murillo, Maxime Chanot and Aaron Long. The longtime Tottenham goalkeeper played his part, too, with five saves from a .94 xG against.
The win was LAFC's third in a row in league play and could instill more confidence in a talented squad struggling to gain momentum this season. Despite all the noise surrounding the team at the start of 2024, LAFC now finds itself in third place in the Western Conference with 24 points.
Atlanta may have the most talented roster in all of MLS but that doesn't hide the fact that the Five Stripes have been terrible outside of the first few games of the regular season. Yes, they had injury problems with key players like Giorgos Giakouamakis and Stian Gregersen, but going nine games without a win is inexcusable for any team in every game.
After Guzan was sent off, Atlanta started playing with real intent and played some of the best football we've seen from them in a long time. If they had played like this in the previous games, maybe they would have been sitting in 12th place in Mpumalanga with 13 points. Maybe it's because their backs were against the wall and they knew they couldn't escape the pressure in front of their fans. Maybe it's because LAFC tends to rely on attacking to win games with the pace of Denis Bouanga and Cristian Olivera.
As for Gonzalo Pineda, his seat continues to get warmer and warmer. Pineda was part of history after the game, as Atlanta lost for the fourth time at Mercedes-Benz Stadium — tied for the most in team history after just eight home games. Don't be surprised to see Pineda fired in the near future as this Atlanta team is too talented to be out of the playoff spot with a midweek trip to Miami.
Reigning gold medalist Denis Bouanga had a few chances here and there and a few good moments on the ball, but he didn't have much of an impact on the game. Sure, he may have drawn more attention for his elite finishing and electric pace, but he couldn't add to his eight MLS goals this season thanks to the Norwegian wall that is Stian Gregersen.
Wherever Bouanga went, Gregersen was there with him every step of the way. The former Bordeaux player didn't allow Bouanga to get inside to get a shot onto his favored right foot and didn't go over. Gregersen also won all four of his contests, scoring seven points, six assists and three blocks.
Even though it was a loss for Atlanta, they can leave the game knowing they have one of the league's best defenders under contract for the 2027 MLS season.
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