Atlanta United 3, Club America 2: Player ratings

August 14, 2019 Atlanta: Atlanta United players Darlington Nagbe (left) and Julian Gressel defend against Club America defender Jorge Sanchez in the Campeones Cup on Wednesday, August 14, 2019, in Atlanta.   Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

Credit: ccompton@ajc.com

Credit: ccompton@ajc.com

August 14, 2019 Atlanta: Atlanta United players Darlington Nagbe (left) and Julian Gressel defend against Club America defender Jorge Sanchez in the Campeones Cup on Wednesday, August 14, 2019, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

Doug Roberson's ratings for Atlanta United's player from Wednesday's 3-2 win against Club America in the Campeones Cup at Mercedes-Benz Stadium:

Goalkeeper Alec Kann, 8: What a night for the Atlanta native in his second start this season and second at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in two years. .... Finished with four saves, including a big save in the third minute to keep the game scoreless ... Another fine save of a knuckling shot in the 54th minute. ... Another diving stop in the 61st minute. ..

Centerback Franco Escobar, 3: Torched by Roger Martinez on Club America's opening goal. ... Taken off before the half because of a hamstring injury.

Centerback Flo Pogba, 6.5: Nerves early when he let Paul Aguilar get space to a put a header on frame in the fourth minute. ... Ducked his head and missed the ball on the corner that resulted in Club America's second goal. ... Bounced back to win a penalty in the 64th minute. ... Got forward when possible to give Atlanta United another option in the attack.  .... With Escobar possibly out, it's time for Pogba to get more minutes.

Centerback Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, 7: Gonzalez Pirez was mostly calm and composed throughout the night, avoiding the mental lapses that have plagued him this year. ... Finished with three shots, two on goal and really did a number against Club America's three-man front.

Defensive midfielder Jeff Larentowicz, 10: A 10 because I can and because I feel bad tweeting in the first half that he looked a step slower and might be a halftime sub. "I am so smart. S-M-R-T. I mean S-M-A-R-T." Yellow card in the 28th minute. ... Then the goal of a lifetime in the 59th minute when he uncorked a 25-yard missile that left the goalkeeper flat-footed. ... Threw himself, literally, into tackles until the final seconds to preserve the lead.

Defensive midfielder Darlington Nagbe, 8.5: His pass to Dion Pereira was part of the sequence for the first goal. ... His pass to Larentowicz was part of the second goal ... His passing all night kept Club America stretched thin and unable to win the ball to start attacks. .... The man should get whatever it was he wanted during his turbulent preseason.

Right wingback Julian Gressel, 7.5: If you want a curling cross whipped in from the right, Gressel might be the best in MLS at this point. ... His corners and crosses befuddled America most of the night. ... He frequently got back to keep Club America from overrunning the three-man back line.

Left wingback Dion Pereira, 7.5: Assisted on Emerson Hyndman's goal with a clever flick into space. ... His crossess were often overhit, but he kept Aguilar from getting forward and joining the attack most of the night. ... A solid performance.

Attacking midfielder Emerson Hyndman, 8: Gave Atlanta United a 1-0 lead in the fifth minute. ... Industrious throughout, working well with Nagbe after Atlanta United went to a two-man central midfield to keep Club America from bombing forward. ... May have been a handball committed on the line. He said he thought it his thigh.

Attacking midfielder Pity Martinez, 8.5: He was up for this game and it showed, starting with the belief he stated on Sunday that Atlanta United was going to win. ... Set the tone with a good defensive play in the first minute. .... Few more good free kicks in the first half, including winning a corner after dispossessing the opponent in the 26th minute. ... Fantastic free kick in the 70th minute that was headed away from the upper right corner. ... This was the complete Martinez that Atlanta United supporters have been waiting to see.

Striker Josef Martinez, 8: Almost broke through two defenders in the eighth minute. ... Poorly taken penalty kick saved in the first half .... Bounced back to convert his next chance to give Atlanta United a 3-2 lead. ... Drew a second yellow on Bruno Valdez, resulting in his ejection, in the 72nd minute. ...

SUBS

Miles Robinson (on for Escobar, 45), 6: Came in just before halftime and slotted into the middle of the three-man backline. ... Misread a few plays but rebounded to play well

Jusin Meram (on for Pereira,  66), 6: Did the job started by Pereira of keeping Aguilar back.

Ezequiel Barco (on for P. Martinez, 90-plus 1), NR:

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