Atlanta, Aug. 4 -- Atlanta United is back in a familiar spot.

First place.

Pressing the attack right from the start, the reigning MLS Cup champions scored a pair of own-goals in the first half and got a penalty kick from Josef Martinez to finish off a 3-0 victory over the LA Galaxy on Saturday, pushing the reigning MLS Cup champions into a tie for the top spot in the Eastern Conference.

"This is the goal," first-year coach Frank de Boer said. "We want to be on top. We want to be the hunted."

United (12-9-3) pulled even with Philadelphia at 39 points, stretching 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...