Los Angeles FC bounced back from its rivalry defeat a week ago with a 4-3 victory over Atlanta United in one of the most entertaining matches of the 2019 Major League Soccer season.
LAFC conceded early, but rallied with four goals over a 12-minute span in the first half to take control of the match against one of the MLS Cup favorites in the Eastern Conference.
The victory moved LAFC 10 points clear of Philadelphia in the Supporters’ Shield race and 12 points ahead of the LA Galaxy in the Western Conference. Atlanta’s loss was its sixth straight on the road.
Atlanta United opened the contest in the second minute. Mo Adams, who made his first start after being acquired from the Chicago Fire July 17, netted his first professional goal with his right foot from the middle of the penalty area.
The Five Stripes held on to that advantage for 31 minutes before the home side unleashed its four-goal onslaught.
First, Adama Diomande bagged his fourth goal in four games by one-timing a finish into the right side of the net off a lovely through ball played in by Mark-Anthony Kaye.
Five minutes later, Diego Rossi catapulted LAFC into the lead for good with a one-time strike of his own. The Uruguayan played Carlos Vela out wide and then followed the pass with a run into the box that led to a steaming shot past Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan.
Controversy struck in the buildup to No. 3 of the quartet of strikes. Vela drew contact on the edge of the box and was awarded a penalty by referee Ismail Elfath.
After some discussion between Elfath and Video Assistant Referee Timothy Ford on the ear piece, the play was upheld and Vela easily slotted his penalty into the right part of the goal.
Eduard Atuesta joined in on the scoring party in the 45th minute, with a turn on the ball that led to a close-range shot rolling into the net.
Josef Martinez handed the visiting side a breath of life right before halftime by netting his 17th goal of the campaign and seventh in the last five contests.
The second-place side in the Eastern Conference moved within one goal of the hosts in the 51st minute, when Eddie Segura scored on his own net.
The next notable moment in the match for Atlanta was one that will likely be talked about a good amount in the coming week.
Frank de Boer removed Gonzalo “Pity” Martinez from the field in the 60th minute. Martinez and his manager did not exchange words on his way off the field and the Argentinian sat on the bench silent for minutes after.
LAFC created the better chances in the final 20 minutes in attempt to gain a fifth goal, but instead had to settle for a one-goal advantage when the final whistle sounded.
Bob Bradley’s side returns to the field Aug. 3 in New England, while Atlanta faces the LA Galaxy at home on the same date.
Vela, Kaye, Rossi and Walker Zimmerman will represent LAFC in Wednesday’s MLS All-Star Game in Orlando. Josef and “Pity” Martinez, Ezequiel Barco, Leandro Gonzalez Pirez and Brad Guzan will represent the Five Stripes.