Doug Roberson's ratings for Atlanta United's players from Saturday's 2-0 loss at Columbus:
Goalkeeper Brad Guzan, 5: Nothing he could do on the first two goals. ... Saved a penalty kick in the 58th minute when he dove to his right to stop Federico Higuain's effort. ...
Right fullback Franco Escobar, 4: Making his season debut, got caught upfield on the pass before the pass that led to Gyasi Zardes' first goal. ... He did get up field and got involved in the attack. ... Left because of an adductor strain.
Centerback Miles Robinson, 3: Tasked with controlling Zardes, he was one of four defenders standing near the big striker on his first goal, Columbus' second. ... Whistled for a penalty and PK in the 57th minute when he and Zardes became tangled. ...
Centerback Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, 4: Also tasked with controlling Zardes, he was another one of the four defenders on Zardes' goal. ... Tried to get involved in the offense a few times.
Left fullback Mikey Ambrose, 4: Got caught ball-watching when Artur ran past him to put in a cross on Columbus' first goal. ... He was another one of the four defenders watching Zardes on his goal. ... Yellow card in the 64th minute for a studs-up tackle. ... Finished with eight tackles and created a chance.
Defensive midfielder Eric Remedi, 4: Charged with denying service to Zardes by harassing Federico Higuain, he couldn't on the second goal. ... Really not playing like the same player from a year ago.
Midfielder Darlington Nagbe, 5: Also got caught ball-watching on Columbus' first goal. ... Couldn't get back so he was one of the four players watching on Zardes' goal. ... Finished with three chances created.
Midfielder Julian Gressel, 5: Didn't run with Pedro Santos to the back post on Columbus' first goal. ... After missing a right-footed shot from a spot he has scored a few from, his header was stopped by Zack Steffen in the first half. ... Had four shots, one on goal, and two chances created.
Forward Hector Villalba, 5: Forced a save in the first half with a deflected shot. ... Had another shot go just wide in the second half. ... Had three tackles, showing a sign of his desire to play defense.
Forward Ezequiel Barco, 4: Had a right-footed shot stopped by Steffen in the first half. ... Won a couple of fouls. ... That's about it.
Striker Josef Martinez, 5: No service and he can't score if he can't get the ball. ... Did have nice combination with Gressel.
SUBS
Andrew Carleton (in for Escobar, 53rd minute), 5: Nothing of note.
Romario Williams (in for Barco, 63rd minute), 6: Had two sots, one on goal and created a chance.
Brek Shea (in for Martinez, 81st minute), xx: Almost scored near the 86th minute. ...
Mother Nature: 0. Just a crazy set of circumstances.
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