The LA Galaxy snapped a three-game losing streak with a 2-0 shutout win over Atlanta United FC in front of 24,122 fans at Dignity Health Sports Park on Sunday night. Kévin Cabral scored the game-winning goal, while Dejan Joveljić tallied his team-leading ninth goal of the 2022 MLS Regular Season in the win over Atlanta.
Joveljić In Goal-Scoring Form
With his goal against Atlanta, Joveljić became the fourth player in Galaxy history to score in six consecutive regular-season games at home, joining Zlatan Ibrahimovic (9 straight games in 2019), Carlos Ruiz (6 straight games in 2002 – 2003) and Welton (6 straight games in 1997 – 1998). Dating back to May 28, Joveljić’s eight goals and two assists leads all MLS players in goal contributions during that time span. Additionally, amongst players that have played a minimum of 600 minutes in league play this season, Joveljić leads MLS in goals scored per 90 minutes played (1.29). Notably, Joveljić is the MLS leader in goals scored as a substitute (6) during the 2022 campaign.
Goal-Scoring Plays.
LA – Kévin Cabral, 7th minute: Gastón Brugman flicked the ball forward to Javier “Chicharito” Hernández outside the top of the box. Chicharito played it back to Rayan Raveloson, who released Douglas Costa down the right side of the penalty area with a weighted pass. Costa slid the ball over to the middle of the box to Chicharito, whose first-timed shot was saved by the Atlanta goalkeeper, but the ensuing rebound was tapped in by Kévin Cabral at the near post.
LA – Dejan Joveljić (Víctor Vázquez), 90+6th minute: Víctor Vázquez slipped a pass down the left side of the penalty area to Joveljić. The Serbian international dribbled towards goal and curled a shot into the far corner of the goal.
Postgame Notes
Sunday’s match marked the fourth all-time MLS regular-season meeting between the LA Galaxy and Atlanta United FC, with the Galaxy earning their first-ever win over Atlanta.
Following the win over Atlanta, the Galaxy (9-9-3, 30 points) moved up to seventh place in the Western Conference standings, three points behind Real Salt Lake (9-7-6, 33 points) in fourth place.
The Galaxy improved to 8-1-1 in league play this season when scoring the first goal of the match.
LA is 4-1-1 in five matches played against Eastern Conference opponents this season.
Dejan Joveljić tallied his team-leading ninth goal in his 19th regular-season appearance.
In eight regular-season appearances (4 starts) dating back to May 28, Joveljić has tallied eight goals and two assists. No player in MLS has contributed to more goals and assists (10) during that span than Joveljić. Only Nashville SC’s Hany Mukhtar (8 goals) has tallied as many goals as Joveljić since May 28.
With his goal against Atlanta, Joveljić became the fourth player in Galaxy history to score in six consecutive regular-season games at home, joining Zlatan Ibrahimovic (9 straight games in 2019), Carlos Ruiz (6 straight games in 2002 – 2003) and Welton (6 straight games in 1997 – 1998).
In his last four appearances as a substitute dating back to May 29, Joveljić has tallied five goals and two assists.
Joveljić scored his league-leading sixth goal scored as a substitute in the win over Atlanta.
Kévin Cabral tallied his first goal of the season and his first goal in league play since Oct. 20, 2021.
In his LA Galaxy and MLS debut, Gastón Brugman started and played 63 minutes, leading the team in duels won (8), possessions won (6) and tackles won (3).
In his 96th career MLS appearance, Víctor Vázquez notched his third assist during the 2022 campaign.
Jonathan Bond tallied three saves and notched his seventh shutout of the 2022 campaign in the win over Atlanta.
Efraín Álvarez made his 82nd career appearance across all competitions for LA.
Samuel Grandsir made his 59th consecutive appearance for the Galaxy across all competitions dating back to April 18, 2021.
Julián Araujo started and played 90 minutes in his 93rd career appearance (82 starts) across all competitions for the Galaxy.
Eriq Zavaleta started and played 81 minutes in his first start in league play dating back to April 30.
Next Game
Up next, the LA Galaxy travel to face FC Dallas on Saturday, July 30. The July 30 match kicks off at 6:00 p.m. PT and features a regional television broadcast on Spectrum SportsNet.
