Atlanta United: 2018 MLS season in review – Conquered
By Josh Bouland
Best defender
Michael Parkhurst had a fantastic year and, midway through the season, he looked like Atlanta’s best defender. After such a fantastic run to the MLS Cup on the back of strong defensive play, it seems, however, that there is a different contender for the award.
Leandro Gonzalez-Pirez put it in a nearly flawless performance during Atlanta’s MLS Cup run. He helped lead the defense to a superb defensive showing. The team only allowed two goals during their five games in the playoffs, and none of those two goals came from open play. Thanks to Gonzalez-Pirez’s willingness to make tough plays, the defense played admirably.
While no specific moment stuck out this season for Gonzalez-Pirez, it didn’t matter. His toughness and physicality shined for Atlanta when the team needed it the most. Gonzalez-Pirez’s best performance came at the most important point of Atlanta’s season. With a 3-0 aggregate lead heading into the return leg against Red Bulls, LGP had a Man of the Match performance. His 15 clearances in that match helped Atlanta advance to the MLS Cup Final.
Parkhurst was still great all season and had arguably the best year of his career. He finished third in Defender of the Year voting and won his first MLS Cup after his fifth try. But Gonzalez-Pirez was just that much better down the stretch and proved instrumental in Atlanta’s run to their first major trophy.