Try and try and try until you succeed
Player Ratings
GK Brad Guzan 7(?) – I guess a seven. It was a clean sheet, but also Guzan didn’t have to make a single save.
RWB Brooks Lennon 8 – Lennon was honestly pretty excellent in this game. 94 percent passing and three chances created is solid production, plus he was 5/7 on his duels and was an absolute engine getting up and down the flank.
CBs Miles Robinson, Alan Franco (Man of the Match), Anton Walkes 8 – This was a game that only felt frustrating because it seemed like Atlanta was never going to find the back of the net, but for most of the match (and especially the second half) no one was too worried about conceding because it was clear that Gonzalo Higuain was in the pocket of Atlanta’s fast, physical defenders. It’s easy to overlook games in which central defenders play immaculately, but their ability to smother Miami attackers gave Atlanta a platform to keep the attacking pressure on in the second half.
LWB George Bello 8 – He deserved to score with how far forward he was getting into Miami’s box, but he deserves to be credited with an assist for his run and cross that hit Leandro Gonzalez Pirez’s arm to draw the deciding penalty.
CM Santiago Sosa 8 – It’s true that there were a couple errant passes by Sosa and one in particular was directly responsible for a chance for Miami, but overall Sosa played superbly despite the fact he was the team’s only true midfielder in the first half. He was even better in the second when paired it Rossetto, a nice bounce back after a rough performance a few days ago in Philadelphia.
CM/CAM Marcelino Moreno 5 – Looking at the stat sheet, Moreno doesn’t stand out in any particular way. He never seemed to find his footing in the game tactically, seeming to pop up in random spots that didn’t end up producing an offensive advantage but left the team out of shape on the counter.
AM Ezequiel Barco 8 – Barco has had prettier nights where things go his way and he scores and assists and has all the nice things happen for him. Wednesday night was a gritty, determined performance where he was relentless in his attacking drive despite being fouled and kicked repeatedly. He won 11 total duels, inflated by being fouled six times, but it’s an impressive number regardless.
AM Luiz Araujo 6 – Not one of Luiz’s better nights, but the testament to him is that even when he’s not totally on and in synch with his teammates, he’s still a threat. He had a good shot on target from inside the box in the first half off a nice assist from Barco. I’d like to see him stationed a bit higher than he was Wednesday, particularly in the first half when more assistance was needed in midfield. He tracked back well though and put in a solid shift.
ST Josef Martinez 7 – Not super sharp and clearly plying at less than 100 percent. He nearly had his 100th goal in the first half when Miami goalkeeper Nick Marsman spilled the aforementioned shot from Araujo. But he got his goal in the end, and congratulations to him for doing so.
SUB Matheus Rossetto 7 – Rossetto gave the team exactly what they needed in the second half, tactically more than anything else. His presence gave Atlanta a better shape that helped prevent the counter attacking opportunities Miami had in the first half, and it helped open up opportunities for his teammates attacking down the wings.
SUB Jake Mulraney 6 – Mulraney’s speed was helpful to Atlanta late in the game when he came on in an effort to get Atlanta the goal that they need.
SUBs George Campbell, Ronald Hernandez NA
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