Galaxy gift two goals to Atlanta

Two defenders deflect ball past own goalie, and the offense fails to muster an attack.

ATLANTA 3 GALAXY 0

ATLANTA — Atlanta United scored two own-goals in the first half and Josef Martinez added a penalty kick to finish off a 3-0 victory over the Galaxy on Saturday, pushing the reigning MLS Cup champions into a first-place tie in the Eastern Conference.

United, pulling even with Philadelphia at 39 points, stretched its home unbeaten streak to 10 games in a matchup between two of the league’s top teams. Atlanta has never allowed a goal to the Galaxy, recording three straight shutouts since entering the league in 2017.

With the upper deck opened up and another MLS record crowd of 72,548 cheering on United, the home team responded with one of its best performances in what has been an up-and-down season under first-year coach Frank de Boer.

The Galaxy provided plenty of help.

In the 23rd minute, Florentin Pogba retrieved a long ball at the Atlanta end of the field and worked it up to Ezequiel Barco racing through the midfield. Barco slid a nifty pass to Pity Martinez, who broke into the clear down the right side. Martinez tried to work the ball in front, where both Barco and Josef Martinez were lurking, but the pass struck defender Dave Romney, sliding across the area on his back, and deflected past helpless goalkeeper David Bingham.

Atlanta made it 2-0 with a nearly identical play in the 43rd. This time, Justin Meram sprinted free down the left side and looked to get the ball to Josef Martinez, who was open in front of the net. Defender Giancarlo Gonzalez slid across to block the pass and wound up doing the same thing as Romney — deflecting the ball past Bingham.

In its three victories in the series, Atlanta has outscored the Galaxy 9-0.

Talks with Pavon could yield loan

Cristian Pavon, the Boca Juniors attacker who played for Argentina in the World Cup, is expected to arrive in Los Angeles on Sunday to continue negotiations with the Galaxy on a deal that is believed to be a short-term loan with an option to buy.

The MLS transfer window closes Wednesday.

Pavon, 23, can play wing or forward. He scored 21 goals and had 24 assists in 80 games in the Argentine first division. Before he could be added to the Galaxy, the team must acquire an international slot, either by sending a player down to its USL affiliate or by trading for one.

The team’s eight allotted international spots are already filled.