Doug Roberson of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution rates Atlanta United's players after Tuesday's 3-2 win against Columbus in the fifth round of the U.S. Open Cup at MAPFRE Stadium:
Goalkeeper Brad Guzan, 6: Saved Atlanta United in the eighth minute with a stop in a one-on-one. ... Another save just before the half to keep Atlanta United's lead at 2-1. ... Tough save in the rain in the 59th minute. ... Own goal in the 71st minute. ... Two more big saves late. ... Finished with four saves.
Right fullback Franco Escobar, 6.5: More energy and results than in last week's game against Charleston, but still not as good as he can be. ... Led the team with four tackles while completing 84 percent of his passes.
Centerback Miles Robinson, 7.5: His first goal for Atlanta United gave his team a 2-0 lead in the 15th minute. ... Had two tackles.
Centerback Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, 7: Yellow card in the 52nd minute protesting a foul on Barco. Not a good way to earn a yellow. ... Conceded five fouls, but had a huge bicycle kick clearance late. ... Really aggravated Columbus; players late in the game with some game management, i.e. time-wasting, late.
Left fullback Michael Parkhurst, 6: Starting at fullback, he didn't get forward too much, but handled most of the threats down his side. ... Not a bad performance against a team that traded him to Atlanta United after the 2016 season.
Defensive midfielder Eric Remedi, 6: Most of Columbus' success didn't come up the middle, which is a sign that Remedi was playing well. ... Was very active in the attack while still completing more than 90 percent of his passes.
Defensive midfielder Darlington Nagbe, 6: He grew up in Ohio, so this was a bit of a homecoming for him. ... Solid performance. ... Not much stood out.
Wide midfielder Justin Meram, 6: Yellow card in the 20th minute. ... Should have made it 3-0 in the 37th minute but his shot went just wide from a tight angle. ...
Wide midfielder Pity Martinez, 6.5: Lost the ball and put Columbus' Patrick Mullins in one-on-one in the eight minute. ... Won a few fouls, hit a few good passes, one shot on goal. ...
Attacking midfielder Ezequiel Barco, 7: Assist on Robinson's goal. ... Won six fouls. ... Missed a late breakaway, but still had the energy to track back and play defense.
Striker Brandon Vazquez, 8.5: Scored his third goal in the past two U.S. Open Cup games with an easy strike in the fifth minute to give Atlanta United a 1-0 lead. ... Just missed a second goal in the 39th minute when his shot from a tight angle hit the post. ... Second goal came in 65th minute.
SUBS
Brek Shea (on for Meram, 69), 5: Missed a tough shot from a tough angle late.
Andrew Carleton (on for Pity Martinez, 75), NR:
Flo Pogba (on for Vazquez, 81), NR.
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