Atlanta United Vs New England Revolution: Every player rated

Atlanta United overcame the New England Revolution in the first round of the MLS Playoffs on Saturday. Here are the player ratings from both teams.

Atlanta United beat New England Revolution 1-0 on Saturday as the 2019 MLS Cup playoffs finally got underway. The Five Stripes were hardly convincing and at times looked quite laboured in their play but a thumping finish from Franco Escobar in the second half was enough to send Frank de Boer’s men to the Eastern Conference semi-finals.

The Revs gave as good as they got at times during the match and could have found themselves going into extra-time at least, were it not for some solid goalkeeping from Brad Guzan.

Atlanta United await the winner of Philadelphia Union and New York Red Bulls in the next round but before that, here is how every player rated on Saturday afternoon.

Atlanta United

Brad Guzan – 8 – Provided calm and security behind an Atlanta backline which offers up far too many chances at times. Was on high alert and made a number of smart saves, especially in the first half.

Julian Gressel – 7 – Provided some dangerous deliveries which you’d normally expect the likes of Josef Martinez to gobble up. Remains one of the most underrated, consistent players in this Atlanta side.

Franco Escobar – 8 – Covered well while at centre-back but really came alive once he switched to the right, following Pogba’s introduction. Opened the scoring an emphatic style, thundering the ball into the roof of the net, and caused a threat with his lung-busting runs throughout the second half.

Michael Parkhurst – 7 – Did very well in one-on-one situations and lead the Atlanta backline as well as you’d given his vast experience. Let’s hope that shoulder injury isn’t too serious.

Leandro Gonzalez Pirez – 5 – There’s no doubting Gonzalez Pirez’s quality but sometimes, he really does get your heart racing. Had a couple of wild moments and was rightly booked for a swipe on Carles Gil.

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Justin Meram – 6 – Tested the Revs defence with a couple of dangerous runs and deliveries but wasn’t as effective as we’ve seen him be this season. Replacing him with Villalba made sense.

Jeff Larentowicz – 7 – Provided a strong, steady platform from which Atlanta could build and did a brilliant job in breaking up the Revs’ play with four tackles and two interceptions.

Darlington Nagbe – 7 – Whether it’s breaking up play or carrying the ball forward himself, there isn’t much Darlington Nagbe can’t do. Another commanding all-round performance.

Emerson Hyndman – 6 – Was neat and tidy with his passing and always looked to get Atlanta moving forward but didn’t get on the ball enough.

Ezequiel Barco – 8 – Was by far Atlanta’s most creative player, driving forward with the ball and threading passes behind the Revs defence with brilliant precision. Assisted Escobar for the opening goal. Barco will take great confidence from this performance after a disrupted campaign.

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Josef Martinez – 5 – Was rightly booked for simulation, summing up what was an unusually quiet night for Josef Martinez, who only had one really good chance. Had a couple of heavy landings on that recently injured knee of his but seemed to cope fine with it.

Subs: 

Florentin Pogba (65 mins, for Hyndman) – 6 – Came in and did a solid job. More importantly, allowed Escobar to move out to the right, which really made the difference.

Hector Villalba (65 mins, for Meram) – 6 – Added some real drive and thrust to the Five Stripes from the moment he entered the pitch.

Mohammed Adams (87 mins, for Barco) – 6 – A late substitute as De Boer looked to shut up shop.