Atlanta United didn’t play poorly against Pumas: we’re starting to see some better attacking moments than we’ve seen earlier in the season. That said, their propensity to concede in the second half showed itself once more as it ultimately led to yet another loss and did away with any chance of getting to the Leagues Cup knockout round.
On to the player ratings. As a reminder, here’s the ratings scale:
- 10 – world-class performance
- 9 – elite performance
- 6 – average
- 5 – slightly below average
- 3 – well below average
- 1 – poor in every level
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Man of the Match
Saba Lobjanidze
Staff rating: 7.5 | Community rating: 7.6
By far Saba’s best match this season. He ultimately wasn’t credited with a goal, but the strike from a very tough angle was a good one, while he later added an assist. Hopefully, that can snap him out of his slump and he can finish a frustrating year on a high note.
Brad Guzan
Staff rating: 5.5 | Community rating: 3.6
Guzan seems to be the victim of preconceived notions by our voters. He wasn’t as poor as he was made out to be, although he probably should have dealt with the rebound on the second penalty better. His defense didn’t help him out on either goal, to be honest.
Ronald Hernandez
Staff rating: 4.75 | Community rating: 4.73
A digressive performance for Hernandez on the left side in place of the injured Pedro Amador. Regardless of whether the second Pumas penalty was outside the box or not, he needlessly took his man to ground.
Brooks Lennon
Staff rating: 4.5 | Community rating: 3.46
Another frustrating evening for Lennon, who conceded the penalty in the first half and didn’t fully account for Coco Carrasquilla’s equalizer in the second half. To be fair, though, he wasn’t put in the best position to succeed by Ronny Deila, who should have simply put Hernandez on the left and Lennon at his natural spot on the right. But it’s not hard to take a cynic’s view and feel that it wouldn’t have mattered.
Stian Gregersen
Staff rating: 6 | Community rating: 5.6
I mentioned it below, but I’m looking forward to seeing how he develops a partnership with Enea Mihaj at center back. That looks to be your starting pair for the foreseeable future (if Gregersen stays fit, of course).
Enea Mihaj
Staff rating: 6 | Community rating: 6.3
Mihaj was given his first start with Atlanta United and looked good. The next step is seeing him out on the pitch for 90 minutes as he continues to build that relationship with Stian Gregersen.
Bartosz Slisz
Staff rating: 6.5 | Community rating: 6.1
Great ball in to Saba for Atlanta United’s first goal from Slisz, who continues to be in strong form. On the subject of the free kick, I don’t mind seeing him take it since he’s scored from there before — and even further out.
Tristan Muyumba
Staff rating: 5.5 | Community rating: 5.2
I don’t really have major complaints about Muyumba in this one, but I came away wanting him to make more of an impact in helping build the attack. How his role changes with Steven Alzate incoming remains to be seen.
Alexey Miranchuk
Staff rating: 6 | Community rating: 6
No contributions to the scoresheet for Miranchuk in this one, but it was a decent performance altogether. I didn’t notice any baffling decisions with the ball that we’ve grown used to seeing throughout his time here.
Miguel Almiron
Staff rating: 6.25 | Community rating: 5.3
He had a beautiful entry pass to Latte Lath that led to the second Atlanta goal. He made a couple of mistakes, but we’ll see if grabbing that assist gives him some much-needed confidence.
Emmanuel Latte Lath
Staff rating: 6.5 | Community rating: 5.8
It’s just the second goal from open play for Latte Lath since March, but it’s the first meaningful one since then, too. Like Saba and Miggy, hopefully this can break him out of his slump and he’ll see the goals come much easier down the stretch.
Substitutes
Luke Brennan (70′)
Staff rating: 6 | Community rating: 5.85
Always good to see Luke Brennan get a runout, even if he didn’t produce some of the moments he’s been able to produce as a starter over the past few weeks.
Will Reilly (70′)
Staff rating: 6 | Community rating: 5.8
Reilly was decent during his time on the pitch, and you can continue to see why he’s a valued young player for Atlanta United. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him start on Wednesday against Atlas in what essentially will be a friendly against Gonzalo Pineda’s side.
Jamal Thiare (70′)
Staff rating: 5.5 | Community rating: 5.3
Would have liked to have seen Thiare more active from the bench. After a decent run of form in May, his impact has not been as noticeable.
Nyk Sessock (70′)
Staff rating: 5 | Community rating: 4.1
Looked a little bit out of his depth at times after coming in. It’s to be expected, given his limited time with the first team.
Cayman Togashi (81′)
Staff rating: N/A | Community rating: 4
Very limited impact in the time that he was on the pitch. Sadly, no late game magic from him.