Joseph Paintsil said his Los Angeles Galaxy team-mates would give their "whole body, spirit and soul" to maintain their MLS momentum after an upturn in results. 

The Galaxy endured a difficult spell across March and the beginning of April, going four league matches without a victory, a stretch that included three damaging defeats. 

But since April 11, Greg Vanney's side have lost just one of their five games (W2 D2), moving them up to 10th in the Western Conference after 11 matches. 

Paintsil's 46th-minute strike appeared set to seal a victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps last time out, but Mathias Laborda struck late on to help seal a share of the spoils. 

And with a clash against Atlanta United their next MLS assignment, Paintsil believes the Galaxy's run of form is something they must build on ahead of the World Cup break. 

"At the start of the season, it wasn't like the way we started with RSL [Real Salt Lake] and also Vancouver," Paintsil said. 

"I think with the determination and fight and spirit we have now, I think we need to just keep going. 

"And no matter what now, we need to take each game at a time because it's really important for us to try and to keep – and to win games now, because our aim is to be in the playoffs at the end of the day. We'll see what will happen. 

"But yeah, I think the boys are really eager, eager to learn and go and give everything. Give our whole body, spirit and soul to this team and to give a 100%."

Another team heading in the right direction is Atlanta, who made it back-to-back wins for the first time this season after defeating CF Montreal 3-1 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. 

Having fallen behind to Matty Longstaff's sixth-minute opener, Saba Lobjanidze and Emmanuel Latte Lath put the Five Stripes in front just before the half-time whistle. 

Lobjanidze sealed the win five minutes after the restart, with Atlanta improving further, having previously endured a four-game losing run that sent them spiralling down the Eastern Conference. 

Tata Martino said his team had turned a mental corner, but insisted that his team must remain on the right track to give their supporters something to cheer about. 

"The first stat isn't relevant, but the second one is because we have seen at different games where we haven't been able to do that," Martino said.

"We've got desperate and got disorganised in that situation and have not been able to make a comeback. The fact we're able to do it is relevant to us. 

"We spoke about it before the game that we owed the fanbase a win, and it's very important because we need the continued support. It is up to us to offer that."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Atlanta – Aleksey Miranchuk

Miranchuk has been involved in a goal in three straight matches in all competitions for the second time in his Atlanta career (August 2025)

The last player to contribute to a goal in four straight games in all competitions for the Five Stripes was Pedro Amador between October and November 2024 (five straight).

LA Galaxy – Joseph Paintsil

Paintsil's goal for the Galaxy on Saturday was his fifth goal contribution of the season (two goals, three assists).

He is one of four Galaxy players, along with Joao Klauss, Marco Reus and Gabriel Pec, with at least five goal contributions this season, while only Inter Miami and San Jose Earthquakes (five each) have more.

MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW

The Opta supercomputer finds it difficult to split the two sides, even though Atlanta won their first two home matches against LA Galaxy in 2017 and 2019.

The Five Stripes are one of four teams (along with Columbus Crew, New York City FC, Orlando City SC) to win their first two regular-season home matches against the Galaxy, though no team has ever won their first three outright at home against Los Angeles (excluding breakaway shoot-out wins).

Atlanta have also won four of their last six matches in all competitions (L2), including winning three straight for the first time since September 2021. Their four wins in six matches come after winning just three of their previous 28 in all competitions dating back to late May 2025 (D9 L16).

The Galaxy, meanwhile, have won one of their last 23 regular-season away matches (D9 L13) dating back to the end of the 2024 season, though they have avoided defeat in eight of their last 13 on the road (W1 D7).

Their last road victory against an Eastern Conference team was a 2-1 win at New England in August 2022 (D3 L8 since).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Atlanta – 35.5%

Draw – 26.1%

LA Galaxy – 38.4%