Doug Roberson’s ratings for Atlanta United’s players from Sunday’s 2-0 win against D.C. United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium:
Goalkeeper Brad Guzan, 8: I wrote that he may have been lucky to get a shutout against Houston on Wednesday, which missed two great chances. Guzan earned Sunday's shutout with two fantastic stops, one in the first and another in the second, for his league-leading 10th shutout. … Distribution has been better, but the saves are what he's paid to do.
Centerback Franco Escobar, 7: Playing centerback, which he hasn't played in a long time with Atlanta United, he showed good instincts when to sit back and when to drift forward and get involved in the attack. … Manager Frank de Boer pointed to one of his runs as something that he wants to see more off from everyone.
Centerback Miles Robinson, 7: D.C. United didn't play with a traditional striker, so Robinson's job became more about awareness and positioning than it did about winning duels and tackling. He got caught up field once, but his speed made up for it. … Finished with three shots, one on target. … Also made two tackles.
Centerback Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, 7.5: A mostly great game, other than a silly yellow card which means he is going to have to be really careful in Friday's titanic match against LAFC if he wants an opportunity to tangle with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and the L.A. Galaxy. … Finished with a team-high four tackles and four fouls won.
Right wingback Julian Gressel, 8: Set a new team record for assists (29)when he picked up the MLS secondary assist on Pity Martinez's game-winner. … Created four chances overall. …
Left wingback Justin Meram, 7: Thought he struggled a bit early by staying on the ball too much in the first half, but improved in the second half with quicker passes and movement. … Didn't create any chances but had had two shots. … Also handled his defensive responsibilities, which de Boer said he spoke to him about on Saturday.
Defensive midfielder Eric Remedi, 7.5: Did a solid job tracking Luciano Acosta, who has single-handedly defeated Atlanta United in past games. Acosta finished with two chances created.
Defensive midfielder Darlington Nagbe, 8: Atlanta United is a different team when Nagbe attacks up the field and he did that most of Sunday, starting with two vertical runs in the first half and finishing with his run and assist on Pity Martine'z winner. … Created four chances.
Attacking midfielder Emerson Hyndman, 7: Really coming into his own really quickly in the center of the pitch for Atlanta United. … Filled the stat shat with two shots, one chance created and two tackles. … Keeps finding good pockets of space.
Striker Brandon Vazquez, 6.5: Good combo work with Josef Martinez early, but he struggled in that area after that. ... Tried to track back and press D.C. … Won more than 50 percent of his 12 duels, which was noted by de Boer after the game. … Took one shot and created one chance.
Striker Josef Martinez, 7: Scored the second goal, the seventh consecutive league game in which he has scored. … Missed a penalty kick when he skied it over the crossbar in the second half. It was just his second PK miss in 15 attempts during the MLS regular season … Was foiled by Bill Hamid three other times.
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Pity Martinez (on for Vazquez, 65), 8: Told to hang around the penalty box and tried to create with Josef Martinez, Pity Martinez scored the game-winner when he crashed the goal to head in Nagbe's cross. … Assisted on Josef Martinez's goal with a very smart pass into space behind D.C. United's defense.
Dion Pereira (on for Meram, 83), NR.
Jeff Larentowicz (on for Hyndman, 90+1), NR.
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