Despite finishing a regular season as successful as we’ve seen in MLS prior to this season, Atlanta United sent shockwaves through the league with its 3-0 win over New York Red Bulls Sunday night in Leg One of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Man of the Match: Franco Escobar
The Argentine defender is playing through the finest form of his Atlanta United career, with Tata Martino praising him after the game, saying, “this is the player we knew we bought.” Escobar capped his fine performance with a goal in the 72nd minute, but his real value to Atlanta was evident in every other minute on the pitch where was was winning 50-50 balls and constantly active and finding the ball.
Full Player Ratings
GK: Brad Guzan - 8.05
RB: Franco Escobar - 9.11
CB: Jeff Larentowicz - 8.29
CB: Michael Parkhurst - 7.98
CB: Leandro Gonzalez Pirez - 8.13
LB: Greg Garza - 7.97
CM: Eric Remedi - 7.98
CM: Darlington Nagbe - 8.35
CM: Julian Gressel - 8.31
ST: Josef Martinez - 8.95
ST: Miguel Almiron - 8.48
SUBS
Sub: Tito Villalba - 8.95
Sub: Chris McCann - 7.11
Sub: Ezequiel Barco - 7.37