Doug Roberson's ratings for Atlanta United's players from Wednesday's 2-0 win against Cincinnati at Nippert Stadium:
Goalkeeper Brad Guzan, 8: Big save of a corner in the 31st minute to keep the game scoreless. ... Finished with one save, but was big throughout the night. ... Distribution was mostly good. ... 14th clean sheet this season, just two from the league record.
Centerback Franco Escobar, 7: Badly beaten by Joseph-Claude Gyau near the 25th minute, but he overhit hit shot. ... Undeserved yellow card in the 50th minute. ... Didn't create a chance against a bunkered defense. Not sure if that's good or bad.
Centerback Miles Robinson, 8: Strong throughout the night, including a key tackle in the final minutes.
Centerback Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, 7.5: Took a foot to the abdomen in the first 10 minutes that should have resulted in a red card. ... Received an unfair yellow. ... Distribution was mostly solid, including a few strong diagonal passes to Julian Gressel.
Right wingback Julian Gressel, 7.5: Earned an assist on Josef Martinez's second goal. ... It was Gressel's first assist in four games and his 10th this season. ... Tied the team-high with three chances created.
Left wingback Justin Meram, 6: Fantastic shot from 39 yards that forced a save around the 12th minute. ... Yellow card a few minutes later. ... Not much of an influence for the second consecutive game.
Defensive midfielder Eric Remedi, 7: Headed a shot off the line to keep the game scoreless in the 31st minute. ... Created one chance. ... Didn't have to do much defensively because Cincinnati rarely come forward.
Defensive midfielder Darlington Nagbe, 7.5: Created two chances, won two fouls and completed 93 percent of his passes.
Attacking midfielder Emerson Hyndman, 7: Smart pass to Josef Martinez to start the first scoring sequence. ...
Striker Pity Martinez, 7: After a few misplayed passes, he hit the pass that mattered when he found Josef Martinez for the opening goal. It was his ninth assist this season. ... Subbed out right after that. ... Finished tied for the team-high with three chances created. ... Completed less than 75 percent of his passes.
Striker Josef Martinez, 10: His 19th multi-goal game in MLS. .... His first goal was pure effort because he finished an 80-yard sprint... His second was pure patience as he waited on two defenders to commit. ...Had just nine touches in the first half. ...
Martinez has 26 goals, two less than LAFC’s Carlos Vela in race for the Golden Boot.
SUBS
Hector Villalba (on for P. Martinez, 60), 7: His worked helped Atlanta United's second goal. ... Two shots, one on goal, and two tackles.
Dion Pereira (on for J. Meram, 86), NR:
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