Atlanta United Falls, 2-1, to Los Angeles Galaxy

Published on May 9, 2026 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Atlanta United FC News Release

ATLANTA - Atlanta United fell 2-1 to Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday night in the last home match at Mercedes-Benz Stadium before the FIFA World Cup break. Jay Fortune scored his first goal of the season, but two late goals from Gabriel Pec earned the visitors the victory.

After an initial 20 minutes that saw defense dictating the game, Atlanta tallied its first big chance. Saba Lobjanidze received a pass from Matías Galarza on the left wing before beating his marker with a tight first touch. Lobjanidze then dribbled into the box, cut inside to his right, and unleashed a curling shot towards goal that forced a fingertip save from Los Angeles goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski.

In the 41st minute, Atlanta looked to have broken the deadlock through a Juan Berrocal header from a corner. However, Galarza was deemed to be impeding Marcinkowski, and the goal was disallowed, leaving the match scoreless going into the second half.

In the 61st minute, Elias Báez launched a cross to the right side of the box, where Tomás Jacob was standing alone. Jacob, swinging his right foot at the ball on the volley, sent a shot toward goal, but the effort crashed off the upper-left post.

Amid a period of dominance in the Los Angeles half, Atlanta opened the scoring. Jay Fortune, having entered the match less than 10 minutes prior, picked up a loose ball on the left flank. Dribbling inside, Fortune beat several defenders before taking a curled shot at the top of the box that beat the goalkeeper's outstretched arm to make it 1-0.

In the 74th minute, Los Angeles struck on the counter. Marco Reus, receiving a lay off from Joseph Paintsil, dribbled through the center of the pitch before picking out a pass to Pec, who was one-on-one with Báez. After a missed tackle put Pec through on goal, he slotted past an onrushing Lucas Hoyos into the bottom left corner of the net to level the match.

Los Angeles grabbed the lead in the 79th minute. Reus, just inside the Atlanta half, slipped behind the defense via a through ball. Pec, who was supporting the attack with a parallel run, received a pass to his feet in the center of the box. His initial effort on goal was saved by Hoyos, however, the rebound was not cleared, and Pec fired his side into the lead with an empty-net finish, securing a 2-1 victory.

Atlanta United (3-8-1, 10 points) returns to action Saturday, May 16 when it travels to face Orlando City SC in MLS Regular Season play (7:30 p.m. ET, Apple TV, 92.9 The Game, La Mejor). All Atlanta United MLS matches are available on Apple TV.

Match Summary

Stats

Shots: 13-10 Atlanta

Shots on target: 6-3 Los Angeles

Corner kicks: 6-5 Atlanta

Fouls Committed: 7-5 Atlanta

xG: 2.3 - 1.2 Los Angeles

Possession: 53-47 Atlanta

Passing accuracy: 79-79

Scoring

ATL - Jay Fortune 69' (Báez, Lobjanidze)

LA - Gabriel Pec 74' (Reus, Paintsil)

LA - Gabriel Pec 79'

Disciplinary

ATL - Stian Gregersen 26'

ATL - Cooper Sanchez 28'

ATL - Juan Berrocal 30'

ATL - Bench 43'

ATL - Bench 45' + 1

LA - Bench 45' + 3

LA - Jakob Glesnes 53'

Notes:

Jay Fortune scored his first goal of the season

Elias Báez tallied his third assist of the season

Saba Lobjanidze tallied his first assist of the season

This was Atlanta United's last home match before the FIFA World Cup break. Atlanta's next home match is Aug. 15 vs. Red Bull NY

Attendance: 40,392

ATLANTA UNITED STARTING LINEUP

GK: Lucas Hoyos

D: Elias Báez

D: Juan Berrocal (Enea Mihaj - 83')

D: Stian Gregersen

D: Tomás Jacob

M: Tristan Muyumba

M: Cooper Sanchez (Sergio Santos - 83')

M: Matías Galarza (Jay Fortune - 60')

F: Saba Lobjanidze (Luke Brennan - 71')

F: Alexey Miranchuk (c)

F: Latte Lath (Cayman Togashi - 71')

Substitutes not used:

Jayden Hibbert

Pedro Amador

Matt Edwards

Will Reilly

LA GALAXY STARTING LINEUP

GK: JT Marcinkowski

D: John Nelson

D: Emiro Garces

D: Jakob Glesnes (c)

D: Mauricio Cuevas

M: Lucas Sanabria (Elijah Wynder - 73')

M: Edwin Cerrillo

M: Justin Haak (Marco Reus - 65')

F: Harbor Miller (Erik Thommy - 73')

F: Joseph Paintsil (Maya Yoshida - 90' + 1)

F: Gabriel Pec

Substitutes not used:

Novak Micovic

Miki Yamane

Isaish Parente

Ruben Ramos Jr.

Troy Elgersma

OFFICIALS

Fotis Bazakos (referee), Jeffrey Swartzel (assistant), Nick Balcer (assistant), Sergii Demianchuk (fourth), Kevin Terry Jr. (VAR), Tom Felice (AVAR)

Atlanta United battles the Los Angeles Galaxy

Major League Soccer Stories from May 9, 2026

• Quakes Increase Unbeaten Streak in MLS Play to Eight Games - San Jose Earthquakes
• Sounders FC Draws, 1-1, Saturday Night with San Diego FC - Seattle Sounders FC
• Whitecaps FC Earn Hard-Fought Draw in Battle for Best in the West - Vancouver Whitecaps FC
• Nashville SC Earns 2-2 Comeback Draw vs. D.C. United - Nashville SC
• D.C. United Draw, 2-2, against Nashville SC on the Road - D.C. United
• Real Salt Lake Falls, 3-1, at FC Dallas - Real Salt Lake
• FC Dallas Secures 3-1 Home Win over Real Salt Lake - FC Dallas
• Revolution Surge to 2-1 Comeback Win over Philadelphia Union - New England Revolution
• Galaxy Steal Three Points in Comeback Win Behind Gabriel Pec Brace - LA Galaxy
• Atlanta United Falls, 2-1, to Los Angeles Galaxy - Atlanta United FC
• CLTFC rally in second half to tie Cincy - Charlotte FC
• Charlotte FC, FC Cincinnati Draw 2-2 - FC Cincinnati
• Diego Chara Named Grand Marshal of Rose Festival Grand Floral Starlight Parade - Portland Timbers
• Lucky Lead Not Enough for Union - Philadelphia Union
• Full Time Clip: Charlotte FC 2 - FC Cincinnati 2 - Charlotte FC
• Colorado Rapids Call up Zackory Campagnolo on Short-Term Agreement for Match against St. Louis CITY - Colorado Rapids
• Orlando City SC Falls 2-0 on the Road to CF Montréal - Orlando City SC
• Hugo Cuypers Scores in Eighth Straight Match in 3-1 Loss to Red Bull New York - Chicago Fire FC
• Leo Messi Becomes Fastest Player to Reach 100 Regular Season Goal Contributions in MLS History - Inter Miami CF
• Minnesota United FC vs. Austin FC Preview - Minnesota United FC
• Inter Miami CF Secures 2-4 Victory on the Road at Toronto FC - Inter Miami CF
• AAPI Celebration Highlights Exciting Mother's Day Matchup Between LAFC and Houston Dynamo at BMO Stadium on Sunday - Los Angeles FC
• Houston Dynamo FC Travel West for a Primetime Sunday Night Matchup at LAFC - Houston Dynamo FC
• Inter Miami CF Signs Preston Plambeck on a Short-Term Agreement from Inter Miami CF II - Inter Miami CF
• Sounders FC Hosts San Diego FC Saturday Night at Lumen Field - Seattle Sounders FC
• FC Cincinnati Sign Ayoub Lajhar to First-Team Contract - FC Cincinnati

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Atlanta United FC Stories

• Atlanta United Falls, 2-1, to Los Angeles Galaxy
• Atlanta United Defeats CF Montréal, 3-1
• Atlanta United to Face Orlando City SC in 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinals
• Atlanta United Defeats Charlotte FC 2-0 to Advance to U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinals
• Atlanta United Defeats Toronto FC 2-1