- Debut appearance, declaration of intent, and welcoming message to supporters: Reus demonstrates strength
Marco Reus had set up his victory celebration for netting his initial goal while wearing the LA Galaxy uniform. He shared, "They taught me this signal right away over here, it holds significant meaning to the Galaxy fans and the folks of LA," after his impressive introduction to his new squad during an MLS match against Atlanta United. He established the initial 1-0 lead via Riqui Puig (76th min) 14 minutes following his entrance as a substitute, and then cemented the 2-0 final scoreline (84th) against Atlanta. Following his goal for the Champions League-winning team, he fashioned the letters 'L' and 'A' with his hands.
"I'm thrilled that we managed to secure a win in the game," said Reus. Prior to his assist for the opening goal, LA Galaxy had missed a penalty and struggled against United regardless of their dominance. The atmosphere in the stadium and on the pitch shifted when Reus, along with two of his colleagues, came on as substitutes at the 62nd minute. "I was hyped all day and eager for this match," said Reus. Despite being at only 70-80% physically, he promised to improve in the ensuing weeks.
Reus only received his visa on Thursday and, as a result, was eligible to compete. He had previously inked a two-and-a-half-year deal with LA Galaxy. His tenure with Borussia Dortmund had concluded after an impressive twelve-year stay. He was embarking on his first foreign adventure of his career and was quickly acclimating to life in Los Angeles. "Excluding the traffic, everything is fantastic. The locals are warm and welcoming, and naturally, the climate: it's a real treat when you rise in the morning and the sun is shining. That results in a completely unique start to the day."
Reus celebrated his goal with the 'L' and 'A' hand signal, paying homage to his new team, ♪ The Los Angeles Galaxy ♪. His entrance into the MLS match against Atlanta United was highly anticipated, and his contributions, including setting up the first goal and scoring the second, helped secure a 2-0 victory for ♪ The Los Angeles Galaxy ♪.