Mateusz Bogusz scores to help LAFC beat Atlanta United

Mateusz Bogusz took advantage of a red card and scored in the 63rd minute to propel Los Angeles FC to a 1-0 victory over host Atlanta United on Saturday night.

Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan was sent off after fouling Bogusz, and Bogusz made the hosts pay on the ensuing free kick, placing a high shot into the center of the back of the net for his fifth goal of the season.

Atlanta United (3-7-4, 13 points) followed with a frenzy of shots to try to equalize, but three missed, and the other, a Saba Lobjanidze strike, was stopped by Hugo Lloris at the 69th minute.

Atlanta found new life when Los Angeles (7-4-3, 24 points) lost a man in the 81st minute. Eduard Atuesta received his second yellow card after a foul on Thiago Almada.

But Bogusz’s goal still managed to be the game winner, even with Derrick Williams and Luis Abram looking good down the stretch. Williams sent a shot over the net in the second minute of second-half injury time, while Abram was wide on the left four minutes later.

Lloris finished with four saves to earn his fifth clean sheet of the campaign.

Guzan also made four saves before receiving the red card.

Los Angeles FC put pressure on Guzan early, but Guzan didn’t give up.

Bogusz sent a right-footed shot which was saved by Guzan in the 17th minute.

After Xande Silva was denied by Lloris in the seventh minute, Atlanta never put another shot on target for the remainder of the first half. Daniel Rios looked into the net from the center of the box in the 35th minute, but he sent a shot wide to the left.

Los Angeles is riding a three-game winning streak in MLS. Atlanta United have not won in nine consecutive league matches (0-5-4).