LA Galaxy midfielder Marco Reus, right, kicks the ball for a goal against the Atlanta United during the second half of an MLS soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024. LA Galaxy won 2-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LA Galaxy midfielder Marco Reus (18) hugs teammate midfielder Riqui Puig, right, after Puig scores a goal against the Atlanta United during the second half of an MLS soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024. LA Galaxy won 2-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LA Galaxy midfielder Marco Delgado, right, kicks the ball against Atlanta United midfielder Bartosz Slisz during the first half of an MLS soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LA Galaxy forward Gabriel Pec, right, kicks the ball defended by Atlanta United midfielder Dax McCarty, front left, during the first half of an MLS soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LA Galaxy forward Gabriel Pec, right, kicks the ball defended by Atlanta United midfielder Dax McCarty, front left, during the first half of an MLS soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LA Galaxy forward Joseph Paintsil, left, kicks the ball against the Atlanta United during the first half of an MLS soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LA Galaxy midfielder Riqui Puig, bottom, celebrates with midfielder Gastón Brugman, left, after Puig scores a goal against the Atlanta United during the second half of an MLS soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024. LA Galaxy won 2-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LA Galaxy midfielder Riqui Puig, top, reacts after scoring a goal against the Atlanta United during the second half of an MLS soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024. LA Galaxy won 2-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LA Galaxy midfielder Riqui Puig, left, kicks the ball for a goal against the Atlanta United during the second half of an MLS soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024. LA Galaxy won 2-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LA Galaxy midfielder Marco Reus (18) reacts after scoring a goal against the Atlanta United during the second half of an MLS soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024. LA Galaxy won 2-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LA Galaxy midfielder Riqui Puig, top, reacts as he celebrates with midfielder Marco Reus (18) after Reus scores a goal against the Atlanta United during the second half of an MLS soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024. LA Galaxy won 2-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LA Galaxy defender Maya Yoshida heads the ball against the Atlanta United during the first half of an MLS soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LA Galaxy midfielder Riqui Puig, center, kicks the ball against the Atlanta United during the first half of an MLS soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
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LA Galaxy midfielder Marco Reus, right, kicks the ball for a goal against the Atlanta United during the second half of an MLS soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024. LA Galaxy won 2-0. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
CARSON — Marco Reus made his Galaxy debut in the 62nd minute and he definitely left an imprint on the evening.
In the 76th, he assisted on the game-winning goal, setting up Riqui Puig, who scored with a distance shot just inside the 18-yard box.
Then in the 85th minute, Reus, after being denied on his first shot, knocked in the rebound to put the finishing touches on a 2-0 win over Atlanta United in front of a sellout crowd of 25,174 at Dignity Health Sports Park.
The win moves keeps the Galaxy (15-5-7) in first place in the Western Conference and increases their lead over second-place LAFC. The Galaxy has 52 points and is now in second place of the Supporters Shield race.
“He came in and brought class, composure, intelligence, obviously, quality, a lot of things,” Galaxy coach Greg Vanney said. “In a way he made things look a little bit easy at times, it’s smooth, it’s in the flow and the rhythm of the game and he’s picking things out. I thought it was great.”
Reus moved to the U.S. and Major League Soccer after a storied career in Germany with Borussia Dortmund. Galaxy goalkeeper John McCarthy talked Thursday about Reus’ quality and it was on display on the first goal. Reus gained possession on the right and patiently waited until space for Puig opened up. Puig’s right-foot shot, sailed out of the sprawling reach of Guzan for the goal.
The game was the first in MLS for the Galaxy since July 20, when the league went on break for the Leagues Cup. The Galaxy had just three games in the summer tournament, the last coming Aug. 8.
The Galaxy nearly had the breakthrough in the 67th minute when Puig’s shot was handled by Atlanta defender Derrick Williams. The Galaxy was awarded a penalty kick, but Joseph Paintsil’s attempt was saved by Guzan.
Reus made his Galaxy debut in the 62nd minute. Reus, who signed earlier this month, entered as part of a three-man sub move, with Miguel Berry and Gaston Brugman coming on, illustrating how deep the Galaxy roster is now with the acquisition of Reus.
“I’m very happy for him and I’m very happy for the team,” Galaxy captain and defender Maya Yoshida said. “I thought he could lift our midfielders and strikers to another level and if we are the right way, this could be another level.”
The insertion of Reus seemed to give the Galaxy a much-needed boost. The Galaxy dominated possession in the first half and into the later stages, but had nothing on the scoreboard to show for their efforts.
This was the first meeting between the teams since 2022 and just the fifth all-time.
The game went into halftime scoreless, although Atlanta United had two goals ruled offside.
One negative for the Galaxy, Puig picked up a yellow card in the 71st minute, which will force him to sit out next Sunday’s game against St. Louis City SC, but that could likely lead to more minutes for Reus.
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