Player Impressions: ATLUTD 2-1 Red Bulls

Another uneven night with the ball at his feet, but he saved Atlanta when it mattered most. He nearly created trouble by holding the ball too long during New York's early press, then denied Forsberg from close range. His best moment came late, diving across goal to preserve the 2-1 lead when New York was pushing for an equalizer.

A difficult night before leaving injured. His positioning and passing were shaky, and several clearances went straight back to New York. He worked hard on the right, but the game looked a little too quick for him at times before a leg problem forced him off in the 68th minute.

New York exposed his lack of pace more than once, especially with runners getting behind the back line. He compensated with his reading of the game and repeatedly stepped forward to clear dangerous balls before the attack could develop. His speed is not there anymore, but his anticipation still is.

More restrained than earlier in the season. He still pushed forward on the left and found useful positions, but he did not abandon his defensive responsibilities as often. His passing into the final third needed to be sharper.

Quiet for long stretches, but increasingly important as the game opened up. He broke up several attacks and made one excellent sliding block in the second half. His tackle on Matthew Dos Santos earned a yellow and could easily have looked worse, but he stayed composed after that.

An excellent MLS debut. His first few minutes included a poor giveaway, but he settled quickly and began anticipating New York's passes before they arrived. He repeatedly stepped into passing lanes, broke up attacks and moved the ball forward with confidence. By the second half he was trying flicks and fakes, and his late block helped protect the lead. Atlanta's best midfielder on the night.

Recovered from a difficult opening and grew into the midfield. He worked hard defensively, made several good forward passes and helped Atlanta find its way through New York's press. There is still another level needed from him, but the passing and defensive work were useful throughout his night.

A frustrating performance turned into a decisive one. He wasted Atlanta's best chance of the first half when he sent an open shot over the bar, then answered with a wonderful curling finish into the top corner after halftime. The goal changed him. He became more aggressive on the ball, carried it forward and looked like he wanted another. When Muyumba raises his tempo, he can completely change a game.

He is Atlanta's heart and soul. He ran constantly, carried the ball out of pressure and kept trying to create something even when the attack around him was struggling. His long pass created Muyumba's first-half chance, and his cross set up Picault's winner. Even after coming off, he remained on the sideline directing traffic and urging the team through the final minutes.

His movement remains difficult to track because he drifts into so many areas, and much of his best work came deeper on the field. He circulated the ball well sideways and backwards, but too often failed to find the runner with his final forward pass. Even so, he was involved in both goals, flicking the ball to Muyumba for the equalizer and combining with Almirón before Picault's winner.

Better after transitioning from striker to winger. He worked constantly, made long runs and helped Atlanta connect more of its attacking play from the left. He looked tired at times, but still arrived at the back post to head in the winner. The wider role suited him better than playing as Atlanta's highest player.

Used almost entirely as a defensive player after replacing Almirón. He put his body into challenges, made an important block near the right side of the box and did well to keep possession late enough to win a foul. He also gave away a couple of unnecessary fouls, but his energy helped Atlanta survive the final minutes.

Entered for Báez as Atlanta began protecting the result. He did what he had to do. Helped protect the lead and prevent an attack from getting into the box. He was an experienced defender brought in for the final stretch.

Came on for the injured Edwards and immediately gave the back line more presence. He read New York's late attacks well and made a huge sliding block during stoppage time. When healthy, this remains the version of Gregersen Atlanta needs.

Entered with 10 minutes remaining and helped Atlanta manage possession when it could. His biggest contribution came during stoppage time, when he found Miranchuk and helped Atlanta win a foul that took more time off the clock.

Did not provide much attacking threat, but that was not really what Atlanta needed from him. He fought for loose balls, absorbed contact and helped slow the game down as New York pushed forward. His work was more about helping Atlanta reach the final whistle than creating another goal.

Atlanta struggled badly with New York's press early and again at the start of the second half, but Martino did get more from the attack by having Picault and Almirón switch positions. The first change came when Edwards was injured in the 68th minute, followed by Hernández and Alzate in the 80th and Brennan and Santos in the 86th. Atlanta spent the closing minutes under heavy pressure, but this time the defensive substitutions helped the team hold the lead.