Player ratings for Atlanta United following Sunday's 3-1 loss to D.C. United at Georgia Tech's Bobby Dodd Stadium.
This was a tough one because the team statistically dominated the game, but watching them they didn’t seem to have the same energy and attitude as they have had in past games. It was odd. Some would consider the loss unlucky, but there are certain things that are starting to pop up consistently.
In this system, 1 is a meltdown, 5 is an average game and 10 is a career-defining game:
Goalkeeper Alec Kann, 6: Couldn't do much on any of D.C. United's goals. The first came off a deflection. The second slipped through a teammate's legs. The third was a one-on-one situation. He had four saves. His distribution wasn't as good as it has been in the past.
Right fullback Tyrone Mears, 6: He created three chances, tied for second-most on the team. He was shadowed throughout the game, making it hard for him to do much else. He completed 91 percent of his passes, best on the team among the starters.
Centerhalf Michael Parkhurst, 5: In addition to the own-goal (which couldn't be helped), and the shot that went through his legs for the second goals, it appeared that he kept Sebastian Le Toux onside on D.C. United's third goal. An unlucky day for the team's captain.
Centerhalf Leandro Gonzalez Pirez , 5: After a poor pass in the first half he stood and looked frustrated while D.C. United started a counter-attack. He also mis-read a pass, missed intercepting it, and was out of position on D.C. United's first goal. He did clear a shot off the line. Overall, really poor body language and passing. Parkhurst is a captain, but Pirez is also a leader. Lastly, he appeared to raise an elbow and hit Sebastian Le Toux in the second half. I don't know if he made contact, but it appeared he did. No foul was called and the official actually pointed at Le Toux, indicating simulation.
Left fullback Greg Garza, 6: He will have moments of brilliance followed by moments where his touch just disappears, such as on the corner kick he surrendered after tapping the ball out of bounds. He also created three chances. He is getting somewhat scoutable on ventures up field. He almost always cuts inside, even when there may be a pass down the field.
Midfielder Carlos Carmona, 5: An odd game for Carmona. He had no tackles and just one recovery. Those are likely because D.C. United rarely ventured upfield.
Midfielder Julian Gressel 4: Beaten by Luciano Acosta near the sideline on Acosta's first goal. A few minutes later he failed to put a shot from 6 yards out on goal. He missed the goal again in the 45th minute on a shot from 18 yards out. His worst performance this season.
Attacking midfielder Miguel Almiron, 7: He tried and tried to create chances, but it appeared that D.C. United smart consistently forced him onto his right foot when he got into his shooting range. Still, he created two chances.
Left midfielder Yamil Asad, 4: Contributed an assist on Kenwyne Jones' opening goal. It was Asad's third assist this season. As was the case last week, had way too many turnovers. He received a yellow card in the 82nd minute after appearing to hit Lloyd Sam in the jaw with his elbow. It didn't look good on video and could lead to a suspension. His rating should be higher, but I can't get over the elbow.
Right midfielder Hector Villalba, 6: More questionable decisions by the Argentine, who missed two scoring chances in the first two minutes — one was tough the other should have been converted — and then wasted a 2-on-1 break in the second half with a bad pass right to the defender when all he had to do was lead Jones with his team trailing 2-1. Villalba had eight shots, five on target. It's good that he continues to get into these positions. It's bad that he's not converting more of then.
Striker Kenwyne Jones, 6: Scored his second goal of the season on a header. He just missed another in the 17th minute when another headed shot grazed by the right post of Bill Hamid's goal. A minute later he was caught from behind with a tackle on a breakaway.
SUBSTITUTES
Kevin Kratz (on for Gressel, 60), 6: Kratz tried to make a few things happen. None worked.
Brandon Vazquez (on for Carmona, 73), 6: Vazquez was brought on to play alongside Jones in a move Atlanta United hasn't tried this season.
Chris McCann (on for Asad, 84), NR: Not enough time to do anything.
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