Doug Roberson (@DougRobersonAJC) of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution rates Atlanta United's players after Saturday's 3-1 loss against Philadelphia:
Goalkeeper Brad Guzan, 6: Finished with three saves, including a diving save to his left in the 32nd minute. ... Not much he could do to stop any of the team's three goals allowed. ... His neck was stepped on while stopping Fabrice-Jean Picault in the 42nd minute. ...
Centerback Jeff Larentowicz, 6: In for Flo Pogba because manager Frank de Boer said he wanted him to move into the midfield and press if Philadelphia played a diamond midfield. ... He held his own against Brenden Aaronson, 17 years his junior, for most of the night. ... Was slow to close down Sergio Santos on the second goal. ... Finished with a team-high five tackles.
Centerback Miles Robinson, 7: Won most of his duels. ... Could argue that he could have been in better position on the final two goals, but then again the second was a fantastic strike and the third he was stuck trying to cover two men. ... Finished with a chance created and two tackles in defending Kaspar Przybylko.
Centerback Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, 5: Another silly yellow card, this time in the second minute of extra time, will mean he will miss the next game in two weeks and puts him on an incredibly short leash for the remainder of the season. ... One of several players offside-watching on the first goal. ...
Defensive midfielder Eric Remedi, 5 Yellow card in the 12th minute. ... Good work in 18th minute to slow down a Philadelphia counterattack long enough for teammates get back. ... Held on to the ball too long and was dispossessed, which started the sequence on Philadelphia's first goal.
Defensive midfielder Darlington Nagbe, xx: Smart interchange with Josef Martinez on the first goal for his third assist this season. ... Slalomed through four defenders in the first half. ... Finished with three chances and two tackles. ... He and Remedi did a good job for most of the night on Haris Medunjanin.
Right wingback Julian Gressel, 6: For the second consecutive game he had trouble beating the first man with his crosses. ... Looks worn out, as he likely is. ... Did get off one well-taken shot. ... Looked like a foot got steppe on just before he was subbed off. ... Said he's been playing banged up. ... Said there was no real freshness coming into the game, but team made it through the stretch.
Left wingback Dion Pereira, 5.5: Starting in place of Justin Meram, he tracked back to break up a counterattack near the 10th minute. ... Created one chance and had four tackles. ... Not bad for 45 minutes, but did have trouble slowing down Picault.
Attacking midfielder Emerson Hydman, 6.5 In for the injured Ezequiel Barco, he worked hard on offense and defense. ... His shot to give his team a 2-0 lead was saved by a great dive from Andre Blake.
Striker Pity Martinez, 7: Solid cross and followed with a great free kick in first 25 minutes but teammates couldn't capitalize. ... Created a team-high five chances. ... Five shots, one on goal. ...
Striker Josef Martinez, 7: Scored in his 13th consecutive league game to give Atlanta United a 1-0 lead. ... Would probably like to have the chance back late when he and Blake came together.
SUBS
Justin Meram (on for Pereira, 46), 6: Finished with three tackles.
Franco Escobar (on for Gressel, 57), 4: Slow to close down Kai Wagner on the second goal. ... And not close enough to Santos on the third goal. ...
Hector Villalba (on for P. Martinez, 85), NR:
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