My player ratings for Atlanta United following Saturday's 5-0 win against LAFC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium:
Goalkeeper Brad Guzan, 7: Despite LAFC having almost 60 percent of the possession, Guzan really didn’t have much to do. He finished with one save.
Right wingback Julian Gressel, 8: Scored his first goal this season with a tap in in the 17th minute. ... Assisted on Martinez’s goal in the 67th minute. ... Arguably already the best wingback in MLS despite this being just his fifth game playing the position in MLS.
Centerback Miles Robinson, 7: Making his first league start, Robinson put a header over the bar on a corner kick in the first 10 minutes. ... Speed enabled him to get back to prevent a one-on-one with goalkeeper Brad Guzan in the 24th minute. ... Big block of a point-blank shot in the 43rd minute. He then had presence of mind to kick the ball away. ... Needs to work on his passing, but that was known before he started. ... All in all, a very strong showing
Centerback Michael Parkhurst, 8: Picked up a rare assist -- the fifth in his career that now includes 253 starts -- on Gressel’s goal. ... Made several timely interceptions and marshaled a back line featuring three new starters into a group that held back an LAFC team full of offensive standouts.
Centerback Chris McCann, 5: Somewhat lucky to stay in the game after receiving a red card in the first minute that was changed to a yellow. ... Tried and failed to play an offside trap later in the first half that put LAFC through on own goal. ... Flirted with disaster throughout the night, including a tackle in the penalty box that could have been a penalty kick but wasn’t rewarded. ... the team did post a shutout.
Left wingback Mikey Ambrose,6: Making his first start this season, Ambrose was able to get down the side well in the first half, but his crosses were usually blocked. ... Had three tackles.
Holding midfielder Jeff Larentowicz, 7: Another solid night for the veteran, who led the team with four tackles. ... It’s going to be a sad day when he and Parkhurst don’t line up together because they have such a good understanding
Midfielder Darlington Nagbe, 6: Well, I realized as I was walking to my car last night that I didn’t tweet once about Nagbe during the game. ... I can’t decide if that’s good or bad. ... He created one chance and had one tackle.
Attacking midfielder Miguel Almiron, 8: Assisted on Gressel’s goal. ... Given yellow card in the 48th minute for a hip check. ... Scored on a penalty kick after forcing a poor tackle from Walker Zimmerman in the 88th minute and scored on another penalty kick a few minutes later. They were Almiron’s second and third goals this season and 12th in his MLS career.
Striker Hector Villalba, 5: He had one good moment in which he put Walker Zimmerman on wheels, and then followed it with a shanked shot. That was about it. It was his second consecutive game with minimal impact.
Striker Josef Martinez, 7: Great hustle to keep alive a play by chasing down a clearance in the 32 minute. ... Later kicked an ad board in frustration after failing to convert a chance. ... Added team’s second goal on an easy header in the 67th minute.
SUBS
Kevin Kratz (on for Villalba, 59th minute), 6: Picked up an assist on Martinez’s goal. ...
Romario Williams (on for Martinez, 83rd minute), NR.
Andrew Carleton (on for Almiron) NR.
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