My ratings for Atlanta United's players from Sunday's 3-1 win against Columbus at Mercedes-Benz Stadium:
Goalkeeper Brad Guzan, 7: Not much he could do to stop Gyasi Zardes’ first goal. ... Denied him from close range in the 53rd minute. ... Finished with two saves and even created a chance.
Right fullback Franco Escobar, 7.5: He’s not going to be an offensive threat, but defensively opponents are discovering that they aren’t going to get much coming down his side. ... His style can be awkward and unnecessarily physical, but the Crew had nothing coming from his side. ... Finished with a team-high four tackles and completed almost 90 percent of his passes.
Centerback Michael Parkhurst, 7: Looked a bit shaky early with his passes and positioning, but bounced back in the second half. ... As he did in the playoff game against Columbus last year, made an incredible clearance near the goal line in the second half. ...
Centerback Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, 7.5: Went on a 50-yard run early in the game to earn a free kick. ... Carried the ball forward well several times during the game. ... Handled Gyasi Zardes well when the two were matched up. Zardes got away two times. Once was a goal, the other was a save by Guzan. ... Finished with three tackles.
Left fullback Chris McCann, 7.5: Put a shot inside the penalty box into the 20th row in #ATLUTD’s first good opportunity in the 28th minute. ... Appeared to suffer a left shoulder injury making a tackle in the 45th minute. ... Recovered and provided the interception and pass that led to Atlanta United’s counterattack for Miguel Almiron’s goal. ... With Hector Villalba playing ahead of him, Harrison Afful never got forward to cause problems.
Holding midfielder Jeff Larentowicz, 7.5: Both he and Eric Remedi left Gyasi Zardes uncovered on his tying goal in the 50th minute. ... Given an assist on Hector Villalba’s winning goal with a pass that will do down in soccer history as a pass, and not a clearance of what Columbus thought was a handball.. ... Created two chances and had two tackles
Midfielder Eric Remedi, 7.5 Played much higher up the field early in the game as Atlanta United used a 4-1-4-1 formation, a new wrinkle for opponent. ... His passing was again superb with a 95 percent completion rate.
Attacking midfielder Miguel Almiron, 8: Scored his ninth goal this season to give Atlanta United a 3-1 lead. ... Was denied by Steffen earlier. ...
Right midfielder Julian Gressel, 7: Picked up his ninth assist on Josef Martinez’s first goal. ... Gressel had nine assists last year.
Left midfielder Hector Villalba, 9: Several give aways early in the game. ... Put a shot from 12 yards over the bar in the 43rd minute. ... Dribbled through Columbus’ whole defense to score the winning goal in the 76th minute. ... It was his fourth goal and the skill alone is worth a 9. ... Also given an assist on Almiron’s goal. ...
Striker Josef Martinez, 9: Tied the MLS record when he scored his 27th goal to give Atlanta United a 1-0 lead in the 31st minute. ... Earned an assist on Almiron's goal.
SUBS
Ezequiel Barco (on for Gressel, 74th minute), 7: Took the air out of the game with his dribbling in extra time. ...
Kevin Kratz (on for Villalba, 85th minute), NR.
Miles Robinson (on for Almiron, 90), NR.
About the Author
