Risers and Fallers: Juan Berrocal stands strong against San Diego FC

In its first match wearing the “e” of shame next to its name in the MLS standings, Atlanta United somehow drew 1-1 against San Diego FC, a team with an “x” that is currently in a “y” spot and is competing for the “s.”

Enough with the alphabet soup! Let’s dig into the meat of this column, where, as always, I give you my risers and fallers for the game.

Risers

Juan Berrocal

The Spanish defender got his first start for the Five Stripes and did a great job of locking things down at the back against the sixth-highest scoring side in MLS this season. Displaying alertness and decisiveness, Berrocal racked up a team-leading 10 defensive contributions in this game. Furthermore, he won three of his five duels and did not get dribbled past even once.

With four accurate long balls and five passes into the attacking third, Berrocal also helped springboard Atlanta’s attack on several occasions. He paired well with Stian Gregersen in this game and helped limit San Diego to just one goal, which resulted from a terrible giveaway (what else is new).

Berrocal’s loan runs through June 2026, so he’ll have the rest of this season, a full preseason, and the first part of next season to show whether or not he can be a long-term contributor on this squad. So far, I’d say he has shown to be mostly positive.

Ronald Hernandez

When I saw that Miguel Almiron would play on the right side, I honestly expected Hernandez to struggle. His recent performances before this match hadn’t been great, and that was with his best friend, Miggy, connecting with him on the right side. Besides, he was about to have to defend against Mexican National Team legend Hirving “Chucky” Lozano, and ol’ Rocket Ronnie’s defending tends to be a bit sketchy sometimes.

However, the Venezuelan right back had a noteworthy performance in my opinion. He swiftly intervened multiple times to clear the ball from danger and keep things stable on his side of the field. He won four of his five duels and recorded five defensive contributions.

Ronald Hernandez is one of the players on a contract year that Atlanta United will have to decide on this offseason, and it could go either way as things stand right now. I don’t expect him to be the team’s starting right back in 2026, but perhaps he could still contribute as a depth piece. His ability to play on either side as a fullback makes him even more of an asset in that regard.

Personally, I would like to see him back. He plays with passion and clearly loves this club. His bond with Miggy, both on and off the field, is another strong point in favor of picking up his option.

Miguel Almiron

Speaking of Miggy, I thought he had a great game. Sure, his goal was just a penalty, but I thought he was very active in the attack, particularly when he cut inside and operated through the middle.

The Paraguayan international hit the back of the net earlier in the game after running behind the San Diego backline to run onto an Alexey Miranchuk through ball before rounding goalkeeper CJ dos Santos and calmly finishing. Unfortunately, he was deemed offside when the through ball was played.

Getting into the more nitty-gritty numbers, Almiron created two chances and put two of his four shots on target (including the penalty). He had one successful dribble attempt and won three of his seven duels.

For me, it’s clear to see that Miggy has been the best attacker on the team this season. Taking American Soccer Analysis’ G+ metric, which measures how each action a player takes affects their team’s chances of scoring or conceding, Almiron has one of the highest passing G+ numbers (1.37) among MLS attackers (taking into consideration forwards and attacking midfielders) this season. That isn’t too far off from players like FC Cincinnati’s Evander (2.09), Seattle Sounders’ Albert Rusnak (2.06), and Orlando City’s Martin Ojeda (1.53), especially considering Miggy has been playing out of position for most of this season (HE IS A NUMBER 10).

Alexey Miranchuk, who has played at the number 10 spot for most of the season, has a mere 0.40 G+. That, in a very simplified way, suggests that Almiron’s passes are proving overall more useful to the team than Miranchuk’s. The same is true when looking at their dribbling G+ numbers (Miggy leads 0.98 to 0.03). The eye test only reinforces this.

While 2025 hasn’t been the homecoming for Almiron that many expected, it doesn’t mean he’s fallen off completely. I think he has more to offer, and we very well may see that in 2026.

Fallers

Steven Alzate

Parcero, noooo!!! You can’t get the ball picked off of your foot like that!

I’ve praised Alzate’s courage and composure on the ball, but that was downright careless and silly.

On a more positive note, he did record seven defensive contributions, three accurate long balls, and eight passes into the final third, which somewhat redeems him, but he’s had critical errors leading to goals in two of the six games he’s played with the club so far. Unfortunately, those types of giveaways and mistakes are almost guaranteed to be punished at this level. That’s how three points become one or none.

I will still choose to believe that Alzate is legit and he’ll be a net positive to this midfield, but man, you can’t be casual about everything.

Pedro Amador

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: Atlanta United fullback lobs endless fruitless crosses into the box as his main attacking contribution and doesn’t do a whole lot at the back. That was Pedro Amador against San Diego.

The Portuguese defender had one accurate cross of four that he played in this game, and the cherries on top were two horrendous shots from distance that he continues to try for some reason whenever he gets the ball outside the box. EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.

Someone has to sit down with Amador and break it to him gently that he’s not Roberto Carlos and would be better off trying to find better ways to use the ball in those situations. I know I just complained about his crosses, but honestly, that would be preferable in these scenarios.

Furthermore, Amador managed just three defensive contributions in the game while losing the only duel he engaged in during a full 90 minutes of play.

I expect Amador to be replaced as the starting left back this offseason. He might have seemed like incredible value in 2024, but now I think the team needs someone who can elevate the position to make Atlanta United more competitive in 2026.

Saba Lobjanidze

Oh, Saba. I have fond memories of you repping the Five Stripes. From providing clean service to Giorgos Giakoumakis in 2023 to becoming Inter Miami’s nightmare in 2024. You had us all gleefully tapping our wrists with you.

But now I often find myself facepalming when watching you. That was the case again in this game as you started on the right wing and proceeded to take just one shot, create one chance, and play two inaccurate crosses in 76 minutes of play.

The frustration got to a point where Jackson Popkin, who was sitting next to me running our live tweets, posted this.

Take this moment from the second half, for example. It was probably the best chance you — or anyone else on the team besides Miggy with the penalty — got in the game. When you get the ball in a golden position like that, you have to do better. You at least have to get a shot off.

The worst part is, I know you’re trying to do your best for the club. There are very few players who have been on the team in the last two years with more xDAWG than you. But sometimes that just isn’t enough, and I’m afraid part of the reason for this team’s trouble scoring this season is the low threat you pose on the wing.

There’s still a match at Miami coming up, however! And I know how much you love to stick it to the Herons. While you can’t knock them out this time, maybe you can play your part in halting their late Supporters’ Shield push?

What do you think of my picks? Let me know in the comments, and be sure to share who your Risers and Fallers are for this match!