My players ratings from Atlanta United’s 4-1 win against Vancouver on Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Goalkeeper: Brad Guzan, 7: Not much to do and not at fault for Vancouver’s goal. ... Good distribution out of the back.
Centerback: Franco Escobar, 7: Had the second-most touches on the team and still completed 93.2 percent of his passes. ... Led the team with three tackles.
Centerback: Michael Parkhurst, 7: His importance in the back can’t be overstated. ... Still has the speed to chase down defenders and his positioning and reading of attacks remains superb. ... Said a miscommunication with Gonzalez Pirez led to Vancouver’s goal.
Centerback: Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, 7: Hit in the jaw by Kendall Waston, which led to his red card and sending off, in the 13th minute. ... Created one chance and completed 95.4 percent of his passes.
Left wingback: Chris McCann, 6: Starting because at 6-1 he is taller than Greg Garza, McCann handled himself well with one chance created and a 96.2 completion rate on his passes. ... Really not tested on his side defensively.
Right wingback: Julian Gressel, 8: Fantastic start with four excellent crosses in the first 30 minutes. ... Hit three more in the first 14 minutes of the second half, one of which was turned into the net by Aaron Maund to give Atlanta United a 2-0 lead. ... Was beaten a couple of times by Canadian speedster Alphonso Davies, but handled the defensive role well.
Holding midfielder: Jeff Larentowicz, 7: Did his job well.
Midfielder: Darlington Nagbe, 7: Two chances created and completed almost 95 percent of his passes.
Attacking midfielder: Miguel Almiron, 7: Drew the fouls that eventually led to Josef Martinez’s free kick. ... Missed a tap-in late in the first half, the second one of those this season he has failed to convert. ... Earned an assist on Martinez’s second goal. ... Finished with eight shots, none on goal.
Striker: Hector Villalba, 7: Three shots and active on defense. ... Wasted a 3-on-1 in the first half with a poor pass to Martinez. ... Hit a good cross in the first half that Almiron should have tapped in for an easy goal.
Striker: Josef Martinez, 10: Scored his second goal this season with a penalty kick in the 15th minute. ... Added another goal in the 60th minute and another in the 88th minute.
SUBS
Kevin Kratz (on for Larentowicz, 60th minute), 6: Solid job overall.
Andrew Carleton (on for Villalba, 78th minute,) 6: His turnover led to a Vancouver counter-attack and goal. ... Rebounded to notch his first pro assist on Martinez’s third goal.
