My ratings for Atlanta United's players following Sunday's 3-1 loss to D.C. United at Audi Field:
Goalkeeper Brad Guzan, 6: Came up big early, punching away a corner and then smothering a through ball when his team failed to clear its lines. ... Couldn’t have done much on D.C. United’s first two goals, but probably could have done better on the third goal. Three goals allowed against two saves.
Right fullback Julian Gressel, 7: Worked his tail off up and down the wing all night to tie for the team lead in shots (4) and lead the team in tackles (5). One bright spot among the usuals.
Centerback Michael Parkhurst, 6: A quiet night that saw him subbed off in the 63rd minute. No tackles. One chance created.
Centerback Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, 6: You want to say that he did a good job defending Wayne Rooney and Luciano Acosta, and then you look at the stat sheet. ... Worked to get back on both breakaways, but couldn’t stop either.
Left fullback Chris McCann, 6: D.c. United coach Ben Olsen said they when Atlanta United had the ball, they wanted it to go to Chris McCann because he’s the lesser of two evils. McCann didn’t prove him wrong on Sunday with no chances created and no shots.
Holding midfielder Jeff Larentowicz, 7: Didn’t mark Luciano Acosta close enough on D.C. United’s first goal. ... Made up for it a few minutes later with a header to the game at 1. It was his first goal this season and the 40th of his career that, after Sunday, includes 384 appearances and 365 starts.
Holding midfielder Eric Remedi, 6: Some thought Remedi played poorly. I thought he did fine considering how congested the midfield was. Three shots. Three tackles. One chance created. The goals weren’t his fault.
Right midfielder Hector Villalba, 5.5: Saved Atlanta United from falling behind 2-0 when he headed a shot off the line in the 36th minute. ... Had three shots, two on target.
Attacking midfielder Miguel Almiron, 6: Really quiet game. ... Had one long, tough run in which he passed to Josef Martinez. ... His free kick was saved by Bill Hamid late.
Left midfielder Ezequiel Barco, 5: Picked up his second assist this season on Larentowicz’s goal. ... Fouled Paul Arriola, which lead to the penalty kick and Wayne Rooney’s goal. ... Passed up a chance to shoot from a tight angle and tie the game in the 64th minute. He passed up a similar shot in the first half.
Striker Josef Martinez, 6: Marked out of the game by D.C. United. ... When he had a chance to shoot, he did. ... He did his work on defense on set pieces. ... String of scoring in nine consecutive games snapped.
SUBS
Kevin Kratz (on for Parkhurst, 63rd minute), 6: One shot. Two chances created.
George Bello, (on for Villalba, 76th minute), 6: Put in one cross in his MLS debut. Tried to be aggressive
Romario Williams (on for Barco, 76th minute), 5: Dribbled into a crowd of people and lost the ball.
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