It was another match at home for LAFC, this time returning to regular season MLS action. The team wanted to bounce-back after getting knocked out of not one, but two competitions recently. Los Angeles is also in the midst of a three-match losing streak, a run of results they are looking to end tonight, as they host Eastern Conference side, Atlanta United.
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇭🇳🇬🇦🇨🇴
🇪🇨🇪🇨🇬🇭🇺🇸🇵🇱 pic.twitter.com/uYboQOkF8z— LAFC (@LAFC) June 8, 2023
The black & gold came out strong, putting Atlanta goalkeeper, Brad Guzan, to the test early and often. While Atlanta United maintained most of the possession in the first half, it was LAFC who put on far more attempts at goal. The squad finished the half with nine shots, finding the target five times. The visitors, for all the possession they enjoyed, only put on two shots with neither a threat. The teams went into the halftime break even and scoreless, but it was the home side feeling more likely to come away with the three points.
Los Angeles turned it up in the second half, but so did Guzan. Every time it looked like the home side was about to take the lead, Guzan was there with some amazing save to keep them out. In the first 15 minutes of the second half, LAFC added seven more shots with two more finding the target, and nearly found the goal. Atlanta had seemingly accepted their role, and hadn’t come close to putting on an attack, opting to absorb as much as possible and hope to catch LAFC out on the counter-attack.
The best chance of the night came in the 71st minute for LAFC, after Carlos Vela drew the penalty. You can have one guess as to what happened, Guzan came up with the huge save. However, he was off the line far too early, and after a quick look, Vela was given a second chance for the lead, and while Guzan didn’t save this one, it was sent high on one on what was the most unsure penalty attempt we have ever seen from Vela. Midweek Madness was in full swing.
Brad Guzan. RIDICULOUS.
9(!) saves on the night for @ATLUTD‘s No. 1. 🚫 pic.twitter.com/YJUzsWif35
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 8, 2023
LAFC didn’t let up, continuing to put up shots every which, way possible. They were shooting from close range, on crosses, from deep, yet Guzan was stopping it all. The veteran keeper finished the night with nine saves, in an effort that, in truth, deserved more than a single point. It may not feel like it, but both sides got what they wanted tonight. Atlanta United get to keep their unbeaten run alive, while LAFC, despite the disappointment, do snap their three-match losing streak. Now, the team just have to figure out a way to get back in the win column.
What do you think of the match? Leave a comment below!