Player ratings for Atlanta United following Saturday’s game against Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Stadium:
Goalkeeper Alec Kann, 7: Really couldn’t do anything to prevent Real Salt Lake’s goal. Only had to make one save. His long passing didn’t look particularly good, but Real Salt Lake was climbing on the backs of his targets. Did receive a yellow card for time-wasting, his second in as many games.
Right fullback Tyrone Mears, 6: If you are sensing that teams aren’t attacking down his side, you are right. Yet another quiet game.
Centerhalf Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, 7: Once again very strong in the air and on the ground with three tackles, none missed, three interceptions, a block and four clearances. Real Salt Lake kept attempting long passes and crosses and Pirez was there to meet them. Yuri Movsisyan was mostly anonymous.
Centerhalf Michael Parkhurst, 7: Only had to make two tackles, but missed one. Parkhurst isn’t flashy, but handles his business. Not sure if it was Parkhurst or Larentowicz who were supposed to close down Albert Rusnak quicker on his goal.
Left fullback Greg Garza, 7: He’s a weapon on offense when he tries to keep things simple. Sometimes he tries to show off everything in his considerable arsenal. Still handled everything down his side, which included Brooks Lennon. The Liverpool loanee found some space early in the first half, but that disappeared in the second half.
Midfielder Carlos Carmona, 6: Probably should get a seven but received another yellow card. He and Larentowicz did well in handling Rusnak and Luke Mulholland.
Midfielder Jeff Larentowicz, 6: Same as for Carmona.
Right midfielder Hector Villalba, 6: He should probably get a 7 or 8 after scoring a goal, but those two missed chances on counter-attacks in the second half could have proved pivotal. He also failed to stop Demar Phillips from coming down the flank on Real Salt Lake’s first goal.
Left midfielder Yamil Asad, 6: Scored a goal but was very, very wasteful with the ball with almost as many unsuccessful passes (13) as successful (19).
Attacking midfielder Miguel Almiron, 8: The man of the match. He was credited with just one assist but a case could be made that he had three. Kyle Beckerman couldn’t do much with him. Though one of the skinniest players in MLS, he will throw his weight around. His shouldering of Chris Wingert off the ball led to the second goal.
Forward Kenwyne Jones, 6: Jones was used like a piece of gym equipment by Real Salt Lake’s players everytime long passes were played to him, and it appeared to be the game plan. Therefore, he had a quite game.
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