My player ratings for Atlanta United after its 4-0 win against Orlando on Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium:
Goalkeeper Brad Guzan, 7.5: Helped team to fifth shutout this season. ... Mishandled a shot in the second half that he said he should have done better with. ... Had three saves.
Right fullback Franco Escobar, 7.5: Speed to burn again as he grows more comfortable in the starting lineup. ... Led the team in touches and still completed 90 percent of his passes. ... Tied for the team high in tackles (5).
Centerback Michael Parkhurst, 7.5: Tied for the team high in tackles and had the second-most touches (97).
Centerback Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, 7.5: Dom Dwyer had zero shots.
Left fullback Mikey Ambrose, 7.5: Preserved a 1-0 lead in the 38th minute by clearing a ball off the line. ... Credited with an assist on Miguel Almiron’s second goal. ... Named the team’s man of the match. ... Manager Gerardo Martino said Ambrose is like a Boy Scout, he’s always prepared.
Holding midfielder Jeff Larentowicz, 8: His tackle started the attack that led to Ezequiel Barco’s goal. ... Martino said Larentowicz was the best player on the field and that if Ambrose got the guitar for being the player of the match, Larentowicz deserves a drum set.
Midfielder Julian Gressel, 8: Playing the midfielder position held by Darlington Nagbe until his recent injury, Gressel stepped in and formed a nice partnership with Larentowicz. ... Notched his sixth assist on Josef Martinez’s first goal. ... Finished with three shots, two chances created and three tackles.
Attacking midfielder Miguel Almiron, 9: Hustled back to break up a counter-attack in the 30th minute. ... Seventh goal this season gave Atlanta United a 2-0 lead. ... His second goal of the game came in the 78th minute. ... Has eight goals this season. ... Sixth multi-goal game of Almiron's career, and third this season. ... Martino said he’s in the best form of the season.
Wide midfielder Hector Villalba, 5: Really didn’t have much impact on game. ... Still seems to be struggling with recent injuries.
Wide midfielder Ezequiel Barco, 7: Struggled in the first half with turnovers. ... His fourth goal this season gave Atlanta United a 3-0 lead. ... Led team with four chances created and was fouled three times.
Striker Josef Martinez, 8.5: Scored his league-leading 15th goal on a tap in in the third minute. ... Blew past three defenders in the 33rd minute to start a counter-attack. ... Earned an assist on Almiron’s goal. ...
SUBS
Kevin Kratz (on for Villalba, 65th minute), 6: Did the job of shoring up the midfield.
Andrew Carleton (on for Barco, 80th minute), NR:
Romario Williams (on for Almiron, 86th minute), NR:
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