The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Doug Roberson rates Atlanta United’s players from Sunday’s 3-1 win against New England at Mercedes-Benz Stadium:
Goalkeeper Brad Guzan, 8: Reached behind him to stop Cristian Penilla in one-on-one in the second minute. ... Finished with three saves.
Centerback Franco Escobar, 5: Two mistakes in the opening eight minutes resulted in one New England and should have resulted in another if not for Guzan. ...
Centerback Miles Robinson, 7: Another fantastic display of one-on-one defending.
Centerback Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, 7: Much, much better than in his previous games. ... Created a chanced, made two tackles and looked much more confident.
Right wingback Julian Gressel, 9: His 11th assist this season resulted in the opening goal. ... His 12th assist led to the second goal. ... His sixth goal gave Atlanta United a 3-1 lead. ...
Left wingback Justin Meram, 6: Another quiet performance in a recent string of them.
Defensive midfielder Jeff Larentowicz, 7: When he starts, Atlanta United’s defense plays much better up the middle.
Defensive midfielder Darlington Nagbe, 8: Smart late run to score the team’s opening goal. ... Created two chances and completed 96 percent of his passes.
Attacking midfielder Emerson Hyndman, 8: Playing too well to be taken out of the lineup with two chances created, 80 percent of his passes completed and two shots.
Striker Ezequiel Barco, 8: Credited with an assist, his third this season, on Gressel’s goal as part of a very in-control effort. It was his first start since the end of August.
Striker Josef Martinez, 8.5: His third assist this season led to the opening goal. ... His 27th goal this season gave Atlanta United a 2-0 lead. ... He assisted on the third goal, giving him four this season.
SUBS
Hector Villalba (on for Barco, 64), 7: Two shots in 26 minutes.
Flo Pogba (on for Meram, 64), 7:
Michael Parkhurst (on for Gressel, 79), 10.
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