Marco Reus is available to make his debut for LA Galaxy as they look to consolidate their place at the top of the Western Conference when they take on Atlanta United.
The 35-year-old's signing until the end of the 2026 MLS season was confirmed last week after he brought the curtain down on a 12-year spell at Borussia Dortmund
Despite leaving Europe, Reus still holds ambitions of lifting silverware in the United States, with the Galaxy in a promising position as MLS returns following a break for the Leagues Cup.
The Galaxy are top of the Western Conference on 49 points, four behind East leaders Inter Miami in the race for the Supporters' Shield.
In his introductory press conference, Reus said: "I'm here to help the team and to win championships. So that's the reason you play football. And of course that’s the reason why I’m here.
"The goal is for the club to win the championship and be successful. It's been 10 years since we won the championship, the time is now and I'm ready, I think the team is ready, so we're ready."
Reus joins an attack that has already scored 50 goals this season, the third most of any MLS side, and the Galaxy will hope his signing further galvanises their trophy bid as they aim to move on from their disappointing defeat to the Seattle Sounders in the Leagues Cup.
Saturday's opponents, Atlanta United, also suffered an early exit from that competition, and they will hope a good showing can set the tone for a strong run-in.
Atlanta have not played in nearly three weeks, but veteran goalkeeper Brad Guzan welcomed the break in terms of providing both a physical and mental reset, as the Five Stripes approach the last nine matches of the regular season.
The ex-Aston Villa man said: "For us, it's been a time to hit the reset button and really look at things.
"We have been able to use it to our advantage. We understand the necessity to get points. We understand the urgency."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
LA Galaxy – Gabriel Pec
Reus may be the new attraction, but Gabriel Pec has contributed to a goal in a Galaxy-record 11 straight regular-season home matches.
He has been involved in 17 goals (9 goals, 8 assists) in 13 home matches this season as only Lionel Messi (19) has more goal involvements in regular-season home matches in MLS in 2024.
Atlanta United – Saba Lobjanidze
Saba Lobjanidze (one goal, three assists) has been involved in each of Atlanta's last four regular-season goals.
His last two assists, both against the Columbus Crew on July 20, came off corners after he had not recorded an assist off a corner in his first 29 career MLS matches.
MATCH PREDICTION: LA GALAXY WIN
The Galaxy have won nine of their last 12 regular season matches (L3) dating back to late May. This is the first time LA have won nine times in a span of 12 league games since July-September 2014, the Galaxy's last MLS Cup-winning season.
Atlanta, meanwhile, have lost three straight regular-season road matches for the first time since April 2022. It has been five years since the Five Stripes had a longer league losing streak on the road, losing six in a row on their travels in May-July 2019.
The Galaxy earned their first points against Atlanta the last time the sides met, winning 2-0 at home in July 2022. Atlanta had won the first three meetings between the sides by a combined score of 9-0.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
LA Galaxy - 50.0%
Draw - 25.3%
Atlanta United - 24.8%
O'Shea joins Ipswich on five-year deal
Ipswich Town have completed the signing of defender Dara O'Shea from Burnley for an undisclosed fee.
The Republic of Ireland international put pen to paper on a five-year deal at Portman Road, while becoming Kieran McKenna's ninth capture during the ongoing window.
Former West Bromwich Albion and Burnley defender O'Shea will bring Premier League experience to the Tractor Boys' backline following their promotion to the top flight.
"I'm really excited to sign for the club," the 25-year-old told TownTV.
"It was really hard not to pay attention to everything the team was able to achieve last season, and to have the chance to join a club with such ambition and momentum was really attractive.
"I want to play in the Premier League and test myself against the best players in the world, which is something I want to do for as long as possible, and I can't think of a better place to do that."
Atletico Madrid 3-0 Girona: Simeone's side seal first victory of LaLiga season
Marcos Llorente scored a fine individual effort as Atletico Madrid claimed their first LaLiga victory of the season with a 3-0 win over Girona.
Antoine Griezmann and substitute Koke were also on target for Diego Simeone's side at Estadio Civitas Metropolitano.
Atletico, who handed a debut to new signing Conor Gallagher later on, broke the deadlock six minutes before half-time.
Griezmann stepped up and drilled a fierce 18-yard free-kick beyond Girona goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga, who had been penalised for handball just outside his own penalty area.
Gazzaniga was helpless again within three minutes of the restart, as Llorente embarked on a powerful solo run from just inside his own half, before rifling into the roof of the net from 20 yards.
And Los Rojiblancos sealed the victory in stoppage time following a swift counter that culminated in Llorente crossing for Koke to volley home.
Data Debrief: Griezmann picks up where Suarez left off
Since the 2015-16 season, Atletico have scored 10 goals directly from free-kicks in all competitions, with Griezmann scoring nine of those.
His effort today was the first such goal by a Los Rojiblancos player since Luis Suarez against Cadiz back in January 2021.
Griezmann also continued his personal scourge of Girona. Indeed, that was the midfielder's fifth goal against them in LaLiga (equalling Borja Iglesias), with no player registering more.
Napoli 3-0 Bologna: Kvaratskhelia on target as Conte enjoys first Serie A win
Antonio Conte oversaw his first Serie A victory in charge of Napoli, who ran out commanding 3-0 winners over Bologna at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Giovanni Simeone were all on target for the Partenopei as they bounced back from their defeat by the same scoreline at Verona on matchday one.
The hosts had not lost their opening two games of a Serie A season since doing so under Zdenek Zeman in 2000-01, and they broke through in first-half stoppage time.
A lovely move culminated in Kvaratskhelia clipping a delightful ball into the box for the onrushing Di Lorenzo to control and fire home.
Kvaratskhelia doubled the lead with a quarter of an hour remaining; his shot after a fine solo run deflecting beyond Lukasz Skorupski in the Bologna goal.
Napoli wrapped up the points in stoppage time when David Neres cut a cross back for fellow substitute Simeone, who made no mistake from close range.
Data Debrief: A magnificent seven for Di Lorenzo as Simeone ends drought
Napoli opened the scoring via an unlikely source in Di Lorenzo, though he converted the opportunity with aplomb.
The skipper is one of two defenders, along with Cristiano Biraghi, to score in each of the last seven Serie A seasons.
Namesake Simeone climbed off the bench to net his fifth goal against Bologna in the Italian top flight and, more importantly, end a dismal run of 24 successive league appearances without scoring.
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