Doug Roberson's ratings for Atlanta United's players from Wednesday's 2-0 win against Toronto at Mercedes-Benz Stadium:
Goalkeeper Brad Guzan, 7: No saves to make. ... Only hiccup was a horrible pass to Darlington Nagbe in the 28th minute that almost gifted a goal to Michael Bradley, but he couldn't put the ball into an open goal.
Right fullback Franco Escobar, 7: Tied for the team lead with four tackles. ... Showed some moves early in the game, including shaking off two Toronto defenders to earn a corner. ... Yellow card in the 56th minute for a late tackle.
Centerback Miles Robinson, 7.5: Toronto's offense could never get going and Robinson was a reason why, again. ... Team has three consecutive shutouts as Robinson continues to play like an MLS Best XI player.
Centerback Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, 7.5: Hustled back to stop Ayo Akinola on a breakaway in the 5th minute. ... Completed several long diagonal passes that stressed Toronto's defense.
Left fullback Brek Shea, 6.5: Back in the starting lineup in place of Michael Parkhurst, his poor pass in the 9th minute almost gifted Toronto an open door to a goal. ... Tied for the team lead with three chances created. ... Needs to attack more down the left side when teams play as narrow as Toronto.
Defensive midfielder Eric Remedi, 7.5: Completely neutralized Alejandro Pozuelo, who had no shots and one chance created. ... Tied for the team lead in tackles.
Defensive midfielder Darlington Nagbe, 8: Another effortless looking performance. ... Completed 95 percent of his passes as Michael Bradley could rarely get near him.
Wide midfielder Julian Gressel, 7.5: He earned a free kick that eventually resulted in Atlanta United's first goal. ... Great cross to Josef Martinez in the 45th minute. His header sailed over the bar. ... Gave Atlanta United a 2-0 lead with a goal in the 67th minute.
Wide midfielder Hector Villalba, 7.5: In the lineup in place of Ezequiel Barco, he scored his first goal this season and 21st of his MLS career to give Atlanta United a 1-0 lead in the 17th minute. ... Hit the post with a shot in the 41st minute. ... Had a breakaway stopped by a poor touch late in the game.
Attacking midfielder Pity Martinez, 8: His well-taken free kick was part of the build-up to the first goal. ... Smart pass put Villalba in on goal in the 32nd minute. ... Great run in the 61st minute. ... Three shots, one on goal, two chances created. ... Looking more and more comfortable.
Striker Josef Martinez, 8.5: Didn't score but impacted the game in so many ways with his passing and link-up play. ... He assisted on Villalba's first goal. ... Assisted on Gressel's goal for the first multi-assist game of his MLS career.
SUBS
Michael Parkhurst (on for Shea, 70th minute), NR:
Jeff Larentowicz (on for Gressel, 86), NR.
Dion Pereira (on for Villalba, 86), NR.
Southern Fried Soccer Podcasts
Follow me on twitter @DougRobersonAJC
On Facebook at Atlanta United News Now
Atlanta United coverage on the Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Have a question? Email me at droberson@ajc.com
