My ratings for Atlanta United’s players following Saturday’s game against NYCFC at Yankee Stadium:
Goalkeeper Brad Guzan, 8: Made a club-record 10 saves in facing 25 shots. ... Man of the Match in an easy choice. ... Big stop on a breakaway in the 28th minute. ... Another save in the 31st minute when he pushed a deflected shot over the crossbar. ... Saved a shot from David Villa in the second half that also bounced off the post. ... Came off his line to stop Villa on a breakaway in the 60th minute. ... Saved another free kick in the 64th minute. ... Few more saves in next few minutes. ...
Centerback Franco Escobar, 5: Just a heck of a time dealing with NYCFC, the size of the field and the quality of the pitch .
Centerback Michael Parkhurst, 6: Important slide to cut out a cross early in the game ... Moved over to deny David Villa in the 34th minute. ... Tackle stopped Villa in the 45th minute. ... The defense was under seige, particularly in the final 30 minutes. ... Lucky not to give up several goals.
Centerback Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, 6: Important slide to cut out a cross in the 14th minute. ... Followed that with a solid tackle of Jo Inge Berget in the 16th minute. ...
Right wingback Julian Gressel, 6: Forced a save in the 42nd minute with a shot toward the upper corner of Sean Johnson’s goal. ... Earned his fifth assist on Martinez’s goal. ...
Left wingback Mikey Ambrose, 5: Kind of anonymous because he was rarely able to get forward due to NYCFC’s relentless pressure.
Defensive midfielder Jeff Larentowicz, 6: Did OK, considering the challenge.
Midfielder Darlington Nagbe, 6: Tough to grade because he didn’t get a chance to do what he does best, which is get the ball, break pressure and get up field with a pass or by dribbling.
Midfielder Miguel Almiron, 5: Sustained a minor left shoulder injury in the second minute. He favored that shoulder throughout the half. ... Was subbed at the half. Not having him as an outlet was huge.
Striker Josef Martinez, 7: Stayed down after sustaining an ankle injury in the 21st minute, but came back on two minutes later. ... Taken down outside penalty box in 35th minute, resulting in a yellow card to Ben Sweat. ... Gave Atlanta United a 1-0 lead with his 13th goal.
Striker Ezequiel Barco, 6: Didn’t influence the game too much. Looked more like he did against Philadelphia than he did against Charleston.
SUBS
Romario Williams (on for Almiron, 46), 5: One good moment when he blew by his defender and put a pass to Martinez. ... Didn’t really get a chance to play with his back to the goal and be an outlet because his teammates couldn’t get the ball to him.
Kevin Kratz (on for Barco, 66th minute,) 5: Did as well as he could considering the circumstances.
Sal Zizzo (on for Escobar, 85th minute), NR
