ATLANTA, GA (September 20, 2017) – Another home game, another win with a bunch of highlights for Atlanta United FC. The Five Stripes defeated the LA Galaxy 4-0 on Wednesday night. The Galaxy defense was torn apart as Yamil Asad took part in every goal. Josef Martínez scored the opener and is still in the hunt for the Golden Boot.
Atlanta Starting XI (4-2-3-1): Brad Guzan — Anton Walkes, Michael Parkhurst(C), Leandro González Pirez, Chris McCann — Jeff Larentowicz, Carlos Carmona — Héctor Villalba, Miguel Almirón, Yamil Asad — Josef Martínez
Los Angeles Starting XI (4-2-3-1): Jon Kempin — Rafael Garcia, Dave Romney, Michael Ciani, Ashley Cole — Jermaine Jones(C), Jonathan dos Santos — Romain Alessandrini, Giovani dos Santos, Emmanuel Boateng — Gyasi Zardes
Red Wedding Part 2: Atlanta United Roll Over LA Galaxy 4-0
This match was in many ways, a replay of the Galaxy’s Saturday loss to Toronto FC. They started the match very positive. Romain Alessandrini and Jonathan dos Santos were involved the build up and chance creation. Jermaine Jones was active on both sides of the ball. Giovani dos Santos got several shooting chances.
Then Atlanta got one chance in the 13th minute and it all fell apart. Asad got the ball moving with speed from the midfield. He made a run into the box past Garcia and sent a cross to Martínez in front of goal. Martínez had ghosted past the defense and tapped the ball past Kempin to score.
From there, the flood gates opened. Atlanta had a crazy sequence in front of goal after Kempin made a big save on Villalba. Almirón had a shot blocked after he and Martínez both went for the ball. The rebound fell to Asad, who hit it first time and scored.
Four minutes later, Asad made it 3-0 scoring his second of the game. Atlanta worked the ball well in possession. Almirón sent a ball to Villalba, who stayed onside. He and Asad were in alone on goal, and they scored on a one-timer.
Thing went from terrible to worse for the visitors in the 39th minute when Jones was given a straight red card after kicking Villalba in the back after the ball had left the area.
Almirón took advantage, scoring just before halftime. Asad sent a through pass on the counter and Almirón got around Ciani to chip Kempin to score. The half ended 4-0.
Atlanta took their foot off the gas in the second half, but still out-possessed the Galaxy up a man. The Galaxy brought on several young attackers to try and shake things up, but they did not create and dangerous opportunities.
This got more interesting in the 84th minute. Substitute Brandon Vázquez was given a straight red for arriving late with excessive force on a challenge to Ciani. VAR was used to review the play, but the call stood.
Nothing happened in the final minutes and the match ended 4-0.
Scoring Summary:
13′ Atlanta – Josef Martínez, assisted by Yamil Asad
16′ Atlanta – Yamil Asad (unassisted)
20′ Atlanta – Yamil Asad, assisted by Héctor Villalba and Miguel Almirón
43′ Atlanta – Miguel Almirón, assisted by Yamil Asad
Last Word:
Fans from both sides should have seen this coming. Atlanta is on a great run of form, especially at home. The Galaxy were coming off a terrible result on the weekend. Once that first goal went in, the result was secured. Atlanta chose to execute their offense to make the scoreline comfortable.
The Five Stripes are now comfortably in a playoff spot. They’ve got a favorable schedule coming up with lots of home games. They’re set up to make the playoffs and be a threat if and when they get there.
On the other side, the Galaxy are still looking for answers. You’d have expected a response given what happened after the game on Saturday. This team has lots of questions and no one is stepping up. These players look like they’re desperately waiting for the off-season.
