Doug Roberson of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution rates Atlanta United's players from Wednesday's 3-2 loss to Toronto at BMO Field:
Goalkeeper Brad Guzan, 5: First goal against him took an odd bounce in the box. The second goal went off the head of Leandro Gonzalez Pirez and the third was a penalty kick.
Right fullback Michael Parkhurst, 5:
Had a very difficult time in the first half trying to keep up with Jacon Shaffelburg, but improved in the second half after a tactical approach was changed to more of a zonal system. ... Didn’t get a lot of help from midfielder on the right side. ... Very involved in the offense in the second half, even doing a backheel pass in the penalty box. ...
Bit unlucky on his tackle that saw the ball bounce right to a Toronto player on the first goal. ... Didn’t apply enough pressure on Jacob Shaffelburg, whose cross led to the second goal. ..
Centerback Miles Robinson, 6:
Cleared a shot off the line in the first few minutes. ... Alejandro Pozuelo got behind him and in front of Gonzalez Pirez on the first goal. ... Finished with four tackles. ... An odd game for him because Toronto didn’t really use a true striker.
Centerback Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, 6:
Received a yellow card in the 11th minute on what appeared to be a clean tackle. ... Pozuelo got in front of him to score the goal that tied at 2. ... Chased Pozuelo down the field near the 55th minute, took away the ball, and won a corner. ... Hammered PRO and VAR after the game.
Left fullback Brek Shea, 5.5:
Bit of a rough game in the first half but, like Parkhurst, improved a bit in the second half. ... Took one shot and created two chances, but the team needs someone to push Shea for playing time.
Defensive midfielder Eric Remedi, 5.5:
Led the team with four chances created. ... Had a hard time keeping Pozuelo and Marco Delgado from popping up in dangerous spots.
Midfielder Darlington Nagbe, 5:
His giveaway led to Toronto’s first goal. ... Good work early in the second half to dispossess a Toronto player and start a counterattack. ... LIke Remedi, had issues trying to control Pozuelo and Delgado.
Midfielder Pity Martinez, 6:
Missed the penalty kick in the final seconds that would have tied the game at 3. ... Tied the game at 1 with a penalty kick in the second minute. It was his second goal this season. ... Didn’t get back in time to pressure Shaffelburg on the second goal. ... Strong run near the 50th minute. ... Took six shots, most of them from way outside the box, but put just two on goal. ... Not credited with any chances created, which is rare for him.
Midfielder Julian Gressel, 5.5:
Atlanta United’s first shot on goal in the 13th minute. ... Scored in the 22nd minute to give his team a a 2-1 lead. .... Passing wasn’t as crisp as it needed to be at less than 60 percent. .... Finished with three tackles.
Midfielder Dion Pereira, 4:
A third consecutive anonymous game when starting. .... No shots, not chances created, not tackles. ... Very quiet in the first half. ... Had a shooting chance around 50th minute, but he passed and ran into Brandon Vazquez.
Striker Brandon Vazquez, 5:
His first MLS start showed that he can put himself into positions to score, but looked a tad off with the final product. .... Had five shots, just one on goal. ... Still, his hard work paid off on Gressel’s first goal. ...
SUBS
Jeff Larenowicz (on for Pogba, 77), NR:
Flo Pogba (on for Gressel, 77), NR:
Referee Alan Kelly ruled that Pogba tripped Richie Laryea, which resulted in the penalty kick and Toronto’s third goal. ... A video review showed no contact.
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