MLS: Los Angeles Galaxy vs Atlanta United | 25 July, 9:30 AM (PST)

[Mary C]

POTENTIAL STARTING LINEUPS: 

LA GALAXY: 

GK | Jonathan Bond 

LB | Chase Gasper 

RB | Julián Araujo 

CB | Derrick Williams 

CB | Séga Coulibaly 

MF | Raheem Edwards 

MF | Sacha Kljestan 

MF | Víctor Vázquez 

CF | Efraín Álvarez 

F | Dejan Joveljić 

F | Douglas Costa 

 

ATLANTA UNITED: 

GK | Rocco Ríos Novo 

LB | Juan Jose Sanchez Purata 

RB | George Campbell 

CB | Alex DeJohn 

CB | Alan Franco 

MF | Thiago Almada 

MF | Matheus Rossetto 

MF | Marcelino Moreno 

CF | Dom Dwyer  

F | Luiz Araújo 

F | Josef Martínez 

 

 

With a chance to win their first-ever victory against Atlanta United, LA Galaxy will be hosting their rivals at the Dignity Health Sports Park this Monday, July 25, for an exciting matchup that may secure a final playoff spot for Los Angeles or push Atlanta up closer to the final postseason place in their respective conferences. 

 

This far into the season, LA Galaxy hasn’t been holding up too well and is coming from a string of four losses in their past five games with only one win against Montréal.  They currently stand in seventh place in the Western Conference with eight wins, three draws, and nine losses, racking up a total of 27 points. Their biggest problem seems to be their unorganized and timid defensive line, which seemed to be resolved a year ago but has come back continuously throughout the season with many conceded goals. On top of that, they haven’t been very strong starters throughout the season, rarely tallying a score in the first 45 minutes of their games. However, this does not mean the Galaxy is without some hefty players. The players to watch out for this upcoming match include Dejan Joveljic with eight goals in 18 matches and Samuel Grandsir with three assists in 20 matches.  

 

On the other end of the pitch, Atlanta United seem to be in a similar position as well having only won one out of their last five games with two draws and losses. They are looking to be at a stagnant point at the moment, which is a bit worrisome considering they only have 14 matches left to play. At the moment, they stand at a troubling 11th place in the Eastern Conference with six wins, six draws, and eight losses, giving them a total of 24 points, just below New England. However, in their last two games, they have shown good technical ability and were able to keep possession of the ball for long stretches of time needed for plays. The players to watch out for from the Five Stripes are Josef Martínez with five goals in 13 matches and Thiago Almada with five assists in 15 matches.  

 

When looking at the head-to-head record of both teams, it is evident that Atlanta United has previously dominated LA Galaxy; however, with Atlanta United being in a rocky spot at the moment, the odds are in favor of a tie between the two teams.  

 

9:30 AM (PST), Monday, July 25, 2022. Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, California.