Atlanta United 3, NYCFC 1: Player ratings

Atlanta United’s goalkeeper makes an impressive save Sunday. (Miguel Martinez/Mundo Hispanico)

Atlanta United’s goalkeeper makes an impressive save Sunday. (Miguel Martinez/Mundo Hispanico)

My ratings for Atlanta United’s players following Sunday’s 3-1 win against NYCFC at Georgia Tech’s Bobby Dodd Stadium:

Goalkeeper Alec Kann, 7: Got down low to his left to deny a good shot in the 36th minute. … Solid punch on a shot in the 80th minute … Nothing he could do on NYCFC's goal. … Finished with two saves and his distrubtion was good for the second consecutive week.

Right fullback Tyrone Mears, 6: Threw himself at a shot in the 66th minute while on the ground. … Missed the header that allowed Jack Harrison a tap-in goal. To be fair, Mears was trying to pay attention to two players, and had to stay closer to the guy in front of him when the goal was scored. … Had two tackles and won one foul. Generally handled Harrison and Rodney Wallace.

Centerhalf Michael Parkhurst, 7: Read the game very well and he, with his teammates in the middle of the pitch, neutralized David Villa, who finished with just two shots.

Centerhalf Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, 7: A bad start for the big man for the second consecutive game when he whiffed on a pass, resulting in a corner kick. … Bounced back with a nice block of a shot in the 40th minute. … Got back to break up another counter-attack in the 61st minute. … Credit for stopping Villa, who has 47 goals in 71 appearances for NYCFC.

Left fullback Greg Garza, 7: Couldn't get to two good long passes from Gressel early in the first half on attacks. … Solid tackle in the 56th minute to break up an NYCFC attack. … Kept Jack Harrison under wraps when he was on the right.

Holding midfielder Carlos Carmona, 7: A position that's hard to quantify, but had three tackles and completed almost 90 percent of his passes. He had six recoveries, which is controlling a loose ball.

Holding midfielder Jeff Larentowicz, 7: He and Carmona are forming a good partnership ahead of Parkhurst and Gonzalez Pirez.

Attacking midfielder Miguel Almiron, 9: He scored two more goals, bringing his total to five in the past two games. … He had four shots, two on goal. … He tied for the team lead with three tackles.

Right midfielder Julian Gressel, 8: He notched assists on the first two goals and tirelessly ran up and down the flank.

Left midfielder Yamil Asad, 7: He earned his third assist in the past two games on Villalba's goal in the first half. … He finished with two tackles.

Striker Hector Villalba, 8: He scored his fifth goal and his speed, which must be respected, and willingness to run in between defenders, is opening up the space that Asad is filling to great effect.

SUBS

Kevin Kratz (on for Gressel, 78th minute), NR.

Kenwyne Jones (on for Villalba, 85th minute), NR: But it must be noted that he threw his weight around in his few minutes on the field.

Chris McCann (on for Almiron, 90th minute): NR.

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