My ratings for Atlanta United's players following Sunday's 2-1 win against Chicago at Mercedes-Benz Stadium:
Goalkeeper Brad Guzan, 7.5: Did well in the 13th minute to move his feet to dive back to his right to stop a blocked shot from sneaking into the near corner. ... Not much he could do on Chicago's goal because it was 2-on-1. ... Finished with one save.
Right fullback Franco Escobar, 8: Scored his first goal for Atlanta United in the ninth minute. ... Chicago tried to overload his side time after time, but Escobar used his speed to snuff out every opportunity. ... Finished with two tackles and is becoming more of an offensive threat.
Centerback Michael Parkhurst, 7.5: Cut out cross after cross and, as usual, had a linescore loaded with dashes because he didn't need to make any tackles. ... Misplayed a couple of passes.
Centerback Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, 8: Big block in the 55th minute to stop a point-blank shot. ... Didn't get forward as often as in past games, likely because the team was missing two offensive threats and he needed to stay back and focus on defense.
Left fullback Chris McCann, 7.5: Couple of good crosses early in the first half ... His low, hard cross was turned into the goal by Chicago's Johan Kappelhof to give Atlanta United a 2-1 lead. ... One of his better showings in past games.
Defensive midfielder Eric Remedi, 8: Very clean in the center of the pitch, creating two chances from his role as a deeper midfielder and then transitioning into a box-to-box midfielder for the game's final 30 minutes.
Midfielder Darlington Nagbe, 7.5: Not as clean as he has been in previous games, and he still completed more than 90 percent of his passes.
Midfielder Julian Gressel, 7: Playing more centrally, he wasn't as impactful as in previous games, but when he moved out wide he influenced the game more.
Midfielder Ezequiel Barco, 6.5: Well, he was fouled a few times, and made some decent passes, but really didn't make an impact. A sequence in which he shot, something he hasn't done, instead of passing to an open Andrew Carleton, and then was put on his rear by inadvertently blocking a shot by Gressel, summed up his day. ... Zero chances created.
Midfielder Andrew Carleton, 6.5: Making his second start, he tried a few things in the first half, including a sliced shot with the outside of his right foot that almost spun into the corner. ... Had another shot/cross in the second half. ... Defense was good most of the game. ... Zero chances created.
Striker Josef Martinez, 7: Given an assist on Escobar's opening goal, his sixth this season. ... Put a header over the bar in the 30th minute. ... Took too long to shoot in 70th minute and his attempt was smothered by goalkeeper Patrick McLain. ... Just a day when everything was slightly off for the league's leading scorer.
SUBS
Jeff Larentowicz (on for Carleton, 67th), NR:
Kevin Kratz (on for Barco, 86th minute), NR:
