Atlanta United 4, Houston 1: Player ratings

Right fullback Tyrone Mears, 6: A good day defensively, and a so-so day offensively

for the reliable right back. He completed 70.7 percent of his passes and was second on the team with four tackles. His best chance for a cross didn’t beat the first man in the second half, but Houston seemed very good at blocking crosses on Saturday. Houston’s speed on the wing wasn’t a problem on his side.

Centerhalf Michael Parkhurst, 7: The captain didn't put a foot wrong most of the match. Because of good positioning he didn't have to make a single tackle, completed 88.4 percent of his team-high 86 passes (most of them short), and even won a foul. He had five recoveries, four clearances and kept Mauro Manotas from doing any real damage.

Centerhalf Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, 6: Not his best day. Almost a catastrophic start after he lost the ball trying to beat a Houston player off the dribble early. … Several giveaways with passes, and then a tackle of Manotas in the 27th minute that led to a free kick in a dangerous spot. … A careless giveaway early in second half could have led to a Houston counter-attack, but there were enough Atlanta United players around to snuff it out. Still, completed 80.8 percent of his passes, had two clearances and kept Manotas under wraps.

Left fullback Greg Garza, 6: He returned after missing last week and it was typical Garza: a lot of running, a lot of involvement on offense, a lot of ending up on the ground. Of the starters he had the second-fewest touches (49), which is neither good nor bad. He almost had a one-on-one keeper but couldn't control an excellent pass. Granted, the degree of difficulty for Garza was trying to do was very high and the fact that he made that run should be credited. As with Mears, he helped to keep Houston's counter-attack under wraps.

Midfielder Carlos Carmona, 7: A solid day for Carmona: excellent passing and a team-high seven tackles. He and Jeff Larentowicz did a good job stopping Houston counter-attacks before they could be started.

Midfielder Jeff Larentowicz, 6: A very good day ended with him being whistled for a handball in the penalty box. It looked inadvertent because he was falling down, but it was called. And no, on the play the Houston player wasn't in an offsides position because the ball was last touched by an Atlanta United player. He completed more than 80 percent of his passes, had two tackles and won two fouls.

Right midfielder Julian Gressel, 7: Good cross in eighth minute but none of his teammates could catch up to the pass. … After just missing with a shot a few minutes earlier, Gressel scored his second in as many games with a poked effort after the ball bounced to him in the goalie box. … His ability to move inside or play wide (sometimes within a few minutes) makes him very useful.

Attacking midfielder Miguel Almiron, 10: Drew a foul from Juan Cabezas in the 20 minute for a free kick in the dangerous spot. … Scored in the 30th minute on a hammered left-footed shot. … His second goal wasn't as pretty as the first, but it was a goal. … Added a penalty in the second half for the hat trick. … Showed his speed and trickery throughout the games. … Not even he is sure how he beat the defender to score his second goal.

Left midfielder Yamil Asad, 8: His work on defense created Atlanta United's first goal and second goal, for which he eventually earned two assists. It was his best game this season.

Striker Hector Villalba, 7: He worked very hard in the first half to keep Houston from even clearing balls out of its half.

SUBS

Kevin Kratz (for Julian Gressel. 80th minute): No rating.

Kenwyne Jones (for Hector Villalba, 83rd minute): No rating.

Andrew Carleton (for Miguel Almiron, 86th minute): No rating.

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