My player ratings from Atlanta United’s 1-0 win at Orlando City on Friday:
Goalkeeper Brad Guzan, 8: Making his first start for the expansion team, he punched away a corner in the 26th minute. ... Smothered a hard shot by Carlos Rivas in the 36th minute. ... Got down to his right to make a finger-tip save to deny a Jonathan Spector header in the 39th minute. ... Denied Spector again in the 64th minute. ... Finished with five saves.
Right fullback Anton Walkes, 6: Making his fourth consecutive start, he didn't look comfortable on the ball early with one poor cross in the first 10 minutes. ... Bounced back with a pass through the legs of his marker on his next attempt. ... But overhit another in the 29th minute. ... Wasted two counter-attack chances with poor passes later in the half. ... Prevented Kaka from rounding him in the 52nd minute. ... Then launched a good cross in the 53rd minute. ...
Centerhalf Michael Parkhurst, 6: Earlier this week was named to his fifth All-Star game. ... Picked up a yellow card with a professional foul to stop a breakaway in the 80th minute.. ... Part of a group that posted its third clean sheet in four games. ... Helped control Kaka and then Cyle Larin.
Centerhalf Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, 7: Making his 20th start, he received a yellow card in the 38th minute. ... Like Parkhurst, dealt with the threat of Kaka and then Larin, who came on as a sub. ... Orlando City had 14 shots, just five were on goal. ... His 64 touches were second-most on the team.
Left fullback Greg Garza, 6: Also named to the MLS All-Star team, Garza created one chance and completed 92 percent of his passes.
Holding midfielder Jeff Larentowicz, 6: Making his 325th start in MLS, he and Carmona again formed a tandem that clogged the middle of the field. ... He finished with four tackles.
Holding midfielder Carlos Carmona, 6: Making his 17th start, he also finished with a team-high four tackles.
Right midfielder Julian Gressel, 5: A rookie who has three goals and six assists, Gressel had no impact on Friday. The most notable thing was picking up a yellow card as he was being subbed off.
Attacking midfielder Miguel Almiron, 6: Came in eight goals and eight assists. ... Couldn't connect a pass in the final third in the first half. ... From middle of penalty box, he hit Joe Bendik with a shot from 16 yards out just before the half. ... Stung Bendik's hands with a shot in the 85th minute. ... Completed 73.5 percent of his 49 passes. Also had two tackles and won two fouls
Left midfielder Yamil Asad, 6: Leads the team with nine assists. ... Had the first good chance on goal in the 24th minute with a hard, left-footed shot from 12 yards out. ... Had another crack in the 41st minute from a tough angle. ... Was kicked in the face in the second half, one of several hard hits he took. ... Won four fouls.
Striker Hector Villalba, 8: Scored his ninth goal, tying Josef Martinez for the team lead, with a wonderous strike in the 86th minute.
SUBS
Brandon Vazquez (on for Gressel, 67th) 6: Came on and had a good shot from a tough angle after a nice run behind Orlando's defense. ...
Chris McCann (on for Asad, 78th) 6: Came and hit a nice cross that should have been a corner kick.
Mikey Ambrose (on for Villalba, 89th), NR.
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