My ratings for Atlanta United's players following Wednesday's 3-2 loss to FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium:
Goalkeeper Brad Guzan, 4: Beaten to his near post on a free kick from Dallas’ first goal. ... Beaten to his near post again on the second goal, but he did get his arms on the shot in a tough situation because the shooter was right-footed and coming from the left, which gives him angles to go far post or near post. ... Not sure what he could have done better on the third goal. ...
Right fullback Franco Escobar, 5: Big block early of a shot from 12 yards out. ... Given a yellow card in 45th minute. ... Got involved in the offense more in the second half. ...
Centerback Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, 5: Lots of misplayed passes in the first half before things tightened up in the second half.
Centerback Michael Parkhurst, 4: A block of a shot, a big tackle and an interception and cut out a cross to stop Dallas’ attacks in first 20 minutes. ... Things got sideways for him in the second half. ... Either a miscommunication or lack of communication with Miles Robinson on the second goal when Akindele was left loose on the left side. ... Tried to react to clear the ball on the third goal, but the ball came through so quickly I’m not sure he could have done anything differently.
Left fullback Mikey Ambrose, 5: Nice cross to Julian Gressel in 18th minute. ...
Holding midfielder Jeff Larentowicz, 5.5: His foul resulted in the free kick that led to Dallas’ first goal. ... Big tackle late in the game to break up a counter.
Midfielder Julian Gressel, 6: Kind of a quiet game, particularly early when Atlanta United misplayed pass after pass. ... Began to pump in crosses as the game went on.
Attacking midfielder Miguel Almiron, 6: Failed to put a close-range shot on goal in the 36th minute. ... Didn’t influence the game as much as usual in the first half. ... Moved to the left side by manager Gerardo Martino, Almiron earned his eighth assist this season on Josef Martinez’s second goal. ...
Right midfielder Hector Villalba, 7.5: Picked up his fourth assist on Martinez’s first goal. ... Sprinted 60 yards back in 56th minute to break up a Dallas counter-attack. ... Stayed down in the 67th minute after a shot, but walked off the field. ...
Left midfielder Ezequiel Barco, 7.5: Passed up a shot from 20 yards in the 27th minute, one he has consistently passed up most of the season. ... Hooked up well with teammates in the second half, and used his dribbling ability to control possession in the final third.
Striker Josef Martinez, 8: Scored his league-leading 16th goal in the 42nd minute. ... Added his league-leading 17th goal in the 73rd minute. ...
SUBS
Kevin Kratz (on for Villalba, 68th minute), 5: Nothing really notable.
Miles Robinson (on for Barco, 80th minute), 3: Brought in to shore up the defense, instead got caught double-teaming Max Urruti and leaving Akindele open on the second goal. May have gotten stuck between playing as a centerback and not remembering that when Escobar is up the field, he has to slide over and take his responsibilities... He and Parkhurst were on the back post on the third goal and neither cleared the ball. ...
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