Player ratings for Atlanta United following its 3-1 win over Columbus on Saturday at Georgia Tech’s Bobby Dodd Stadium:
Goalkeeper Alec Kann, 8: Came out and stopped a Justin Meram one-on-one with a solid challenge in the second minute. … Forced into another tough save in the fifth minute. … Not sure he could have stopped Columbus's first goal. … Couple of nervy moments with distribution.
Right fullback Tyrone Mears, 7: Put in a good cross in the 23rd minute. … Created a team-high three chances and had two tackles. … Very good getting up the field and tracking back. … Much better performance than in previous few games.
Centerhalf Michael Parkhurst, 6: Telegraphed pass that was intercepted by Justin Meram and turned into a dangerous counter-attack in the second minute. … Another bad pass in the 12th minute almost led to a one-on-one but Carlos Carmona was there to save it. … Beat Ola Kamara to the spot to stop a goal-scoring chance. … Finished with three tackles.
Centerhalf Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, 7: One of a host of defenders who failed to react to the deflection on Columbus' opening goal. … Great tackle and awareness to get up and chase down the loose ball led to Miguel Almiron's goal and Atlanta United's lead. … Much better than performance than in games at Vancouver and Columbus, particularly on defending set pieces.
Left fullback Greg Garza, 6: He didn't create any chances but he was constantly involved in the offense on the left side.
Holding midfielder Carlos Carmona, 6: Picked up his fifth yellow card of the season in the first half. … Had just one tackle but he and Larentowicz were vital in snuffing out Columbus counter-attacks, particularly after the nervy opening five minutes.
Holding midfielder Jeff Larentowicz, 7: Quickly proving himself indispensable to Tata Martino. … Created two chances, which is rare for him, and had three tackles. … Though he played 90 minutes on Wednesday and Saturday, he will likely start again at D.C. United
Right midfielder Julian Gressel, 7: Put in several good crosses and had a few good shots. … Very aggressive on Saturday when he had the ball, which is always fun to watch.
Left midfielder Yamil Asad, 8: Stopped his run in the 14th minute or he would have had a tap-in goal on a cross from Gressel. … Notched his team-leading eighth assist on Hector Villalba's opening goal after some smart pressing. … Curling shot was knocked away Zack Steffen in the 43rd minute. … Ran himself into the ground with his efforts.
Attacking midfielder Miguel Almiron, 8: Tried two long-range shots near the 40th minute. … Tried to do too much in the first half with long dribbles, but settled down in the second half. … Scored the team's second goal, and his team-leading eighth with a lovely run in the second half.
Striker Hector Villalba, 8: Scored the opening goal off Asad's assist and was unlucky not to add a second with a long-range left-footed shot that Steffen palmed away. … Also created two chances in a much better performance than he had at Vancouver or at Chicago.
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Josef Martinez (on for Gressel, 62nd), 7: Scored his sixth league goal with a hammered left-footed shot in the 89th minute.
Kevin Kratz (on for Villalba, 72nd), 7: Notched an assist on Martinez's goal after some smart pressing. It was his first assist this season. … Look for him to start at D.C. United.
Chris McCann (on for Almiron, 77th minute), NR.
Previous ratings from MLS games
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