The match was meaningless, and yet it still ended full of frustration. So goes the 2026 season for Atlanta United, even to the end, as they fell to Red Bull New York 3-0 in New Jersey.
Here are the ratings, starting with mine followed by the average rating from our community player ratings form. As a reminder, here’s a look at the rating scale:
- 10 – world-class performance
- 9 – elite performance
- 6 – average
- 5 – slightly below average
- 3 – well below average
- 1 – poor in every level
Jayden Hibbert – Staff rating – 4.00 ; Community rating – 5.30
First start with the first team outside of cup matches this year for Jayden Hibbert, who fans have been clamoring see take up the spot between the posts. Hibbert made four saves in the first half, off to a solid start, before RBNY converted their next three shots on target.
Elías Báez – Staff rating – 4.50 ; Community rating – 3.60
An okay day on the left flank for Baez, who did create a big chance with a great ball forward to Miggy in the opening ten minutes. Baez completed 4/5 long passes and 83% of all pass attempts. Still not enough not get the attack going, though. Baez did come up with a crucial block in the 28th minute on a Red Bull scoring opportunity.
Júnior Alonso – Staff rating – 2.50 ; Community rating – 3.00
Poor final matchday for Alonso, who seemed stagnant on RBNY’s first two goals. No overcoming that.
Paulo Diaz – Staff rating – 4.00 ; Community rating – 3.80
Better day for the other center back, who had 13 defensive contributions and won 4/4 duels in the air. Still couldn’t do enough as the backline lets in three goals.
Tomas Jacob – Staff rating – 3.00 ; Community rating – 3.30
It was a much quieter day on the right side for Jacob, who went 0/5 on cross attempts and had no real attacking impact.
Mauricio Amaro – Staff rating – 3.75 ; Community rating – 4.00
In what should have been a busy day for Amaro with the Red Bulls on the front foot for the majority of the match, the defensive midfielder lost more ground duels than he won, going 5/12. Not much of the force that the team needs in the position.
Giuliano Galoppo – Staff rating – 3.50 ; Community rating – 3.60
Two off target shots that were more of a swing and a hope, Galoppo’s impact was limited in attack and pretty nonexistent in defense before existing in the 76th minute with a yellow card in tow.
Tristan Muyumba – Staff rating – 3.75 ; Community rating – 3.30
Muyumba notched one chance created, but was otherwise quiet outside of some defensive contributions during his hour of play before being subbed off.
Alexey Miranchuk – Staff rating – 3.50 ; Community rating – 3.30
Had his one shot attempt blocked, created a chance, and existed mostly to shuttle the ball around in attacking midfield. It was a performance that we’ve seen often from the Designated Player this year, unfortunately.
Miguel Almiron – Staff rating – 3.75 ; Community rating – 3.20
Miggy was active, but once again lacked the finishing touch in scoring situations, electing to shoot rather than lay the ball off to an open Embolo and wound up clanging his shot off the post instead. Almiron nearly had another chance in the 62nd minute, but the awkward deflection his way ended up out for a goal kick.
Breel Embolo – Staff rating – 4.00 ; Community rating – 3.90
Only one shot in the match, an off target effort from the top of the 18. Hopefully the new year brings new chances for the striker.
Cooper Sanchez (SUB 61′) – Staff rating – 4.50 ; Community rating – 4.70
Coming on with the team two goals down, Sanchez entered with a half hour to go but was unable to change the course of the match. The 18 year old had a shot attempt blocked and completed nearly all of his pass attempts, 15 of 16, while offering some defensive support with two tackles and 4 duels won.
Matt Edwards (SUB 76′) – Staff rating – 4.00 ; Community rating – 4.10
Edwards entered in the final 15 minutes for Baez, but was unable to create anything on the flank, registering just one pass into the final third.
Jay Fortune (SUB 76′) – Staff rating – 4.50 ; Community rating – 4.20
Fortune missed on his one shot attempt, an effort well over the bar in the 84th minute. He did grab a couple tackles and an interception as the Red Bulls continued to control the match.
Luke Brennan (SUB 86′) – Staff rating – 4.50 ; Community rating – 3.10
Not a lot of time for Brennan to do anything, especially with the team down 3-0, on the road, in a meaningless game.
Sergio Santos (SUB 86′) – Staff rating – 4.50 ; Community rating – 3.20
Glorified jogging session for Santos as well, with the result, and season, already settled.
Tata Martino – Staff rating – 3.00 ; Community rating – 2.20
Martino made the goalkeeper change many wanted to see, albeit in the final match of the season, but it did little to change the squad or outcome here. The match was a continuation of the struggles of the year as a whole, even in a dead rubber match. He, like us all, probably feels a sense of relief that the season has come to an end.