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Like they’ve done all season, Atlanta United rebounded from the embarrassing end of season loss to Toronto with perhaps the most inspiring and energetic performance in the two season history of the club. Every Five Stripes player that stepped on the field gave everything they had and it earned the team their first-ever playoff win over a very good New York City FC team on a very difficult field to play on.
Man of the Match: Leandro Gonzalez Pirez
Chief among the incredibly energetic performances was the big man at the back, LGP. Gonzalez Pirez led by example from the opening kick with fierce tackles, nonstop running, and the willingness to get in the opposition’s face both metaphorically and literally. LGP ain’t scared of no one and the team followed his lead to victory on a special night.
Jeff Larentowicz against NYCFC tonight, per @WhoScored: 4 tackles, 1 interception, 5 clearances
— Jonathan Tannenwald (@thegoalkeeper) November 5, 2018
Michael Parkhurst: 3 tackles, 1 interception, 3 clearances, 4 blocks
Leandro González Pírez: 4 tackles, 2 interceptions, 6 clearances, 1 block#MLSCupPlayoffs
Full Player Ratings
GK: Brad Guzan - 8.06
RB: Franco Escobar - 7.52
CB: Michael Parkhurst - 8.13
CB: Leandro Gonzalez Pirez - 8.30
CB: Jeff Larentowicz - 7.45
LB: Greg Garza - 8.14
CM: Eric Remedi - 8.28
CM: Darlington Nagbe - 8.04
CM: Julian Gressel - 7.19
ST: Josef Martinez - 7.42
ST: Miguel Almiron - 8.01
SUBS
Sub: Tito Villalba - 5.75
Sub: Ezequiel Barco - 7.03