Player Impressions: ATLUTD 0-3 Red Bulls

Starting Lineup

Atlanta United finished its 2026 season with a 3-0 defeat to the New York Red Bulls on Saturday. Jayden Hibbert received his first league start of the season, but Tata Martino otherwise relied on his regular starters. The Red Bulls controlled long stretches of the match, repeatedly finding space through Atlanta’s midfield and creating chances against a struggling back line.

Atlanta had occasional opportunities, including Miguel Almirón’s shot off the post early in the first half, but struggled to maintain possession or involve its forwards. The second half offered little improvement, leaving Martino with another poor performance from a lineup that has struggled throughout the season.

Player Impressions

The Keeper

Jayden Hibbert

Hibbert made several important saves early in the match, including a couple of efforts that required him to react quickly as New York attacked Atlanta's box. He was left exposed on the opening goal, with Paulo Díaz's attempted clearance creating another opportunity for Mehmeti.

Hibbert could do little about the three goals, but his positioning and decision-making were questionable at other times. He rushed off his line in the second half and missed Rafael Mosquera, leaving the Red Bulls attacker with an open goal. Mosquera eventually struck the post, sparing Hibbert another concession.

He needed to have a standout game in his only start of the season. He didn't.

The Back Line

Tomás Jacob

Jacob made several important defensive interventions in the first half, including a sliding block and another clearance that prevented New York from capitalizing on dangerous balls into the box. He was among Atlanta's more active defenders as the Red Bulls repeatedly attacked.

His deliveries into the box remain inconsistent. Several crosses passed beyond everyone, while others went directly to New York defenders or the goalkeeper. Jacob also arrived too late to prevent Cowell's second-half goal, with the ball deflecting off him and into the net. His defensive work was useful at times, but his overall contribution diminished as the match progressed.

Júnior Alonso

Alonso had a relatively quiet match despite New York's sustained attacking pressure. He made a good intervention to block Ruvalcaba's attempt in the first half and later anticipated a through ball to prevent another opportunity.

Those were among his few notable contributions. New York repeatedly found space around Atlanta's defensive line, and Alonso struggled to provide the presence needed to contain those attacks.

Paulo Díaz

Díaz had another difficult performance, with his involvement in New York's opening goal standing out. His sliding attempt to intercept the ball resulted in the ball bouncing off Hibbert, and Mehmeti collected the loose ball before scoring. Díaz recovered to make a couple of good sliding clearances in the second half, reading crosses and preventing opponents from receiving the ball in dangerous positions. However, his lack of pace was exposed late in the match when he could not recover against another Red Bulls attack.

His occasional defensive interventions were outweighed by the problems he created or failed to prevent. With Atlanta preparing for another roster rebuild, Díaz has done little in recent matches to strengthen the argument for retaining him.

Elías Báez

Báez had been one of Atlanta's stronger performers in recent matches, but he struggled considerably against New York. The Red Bulls repeatedly attacked down his side, finding space to deliver crosses while Báez was either out of position or unable to disrupt the play. He did have one promising attacking moment, receiving a pass from Embolo then driving a powerful shot that was blocked. He also played a good through ball that released Almirón for his first-half shot off the post.

The Midfield

Mauricio Amaro

Amaro worked hard defensively, tracking back to interrupt several Red Bulls attacks and positioning himself to challenge for possession. However, New York's movement frequently pulled him out of position, leaving Atlanta unable to establish control through the middle. His passing caused problems, including a particularly poor short pass that put Báez under immediate pressure and saw Báez go down. Amaro continued working throughout the match, but his influence faded as the second half progressed.

Giuliano Galoppo

Galoppo struggled to control the midfield against New York. He had brief spells of possession in advanced positions but rarely did anything with them. His attempts from distance were poor, including one that went well over the crossbar. As New York continued controlling possession, Galoppo appeared increasingly frustrated and was unable to connect effectively with the forwards.

Tristan Muyumba

Muyumba offered little resistance as New York repeatedly moved through Atlanta's midfield. He was beaten on several challenges, including one sequence where a Red Bulls player moved directly past his attempted tackle. His distribution was inconsistent. His free kick went straight into a group of New York players. His attempts to connect with teammates up the pitch produced little.

The Front Line

Miguel Almirón

Almirón was responsible for Atlanta's best opportunity of the first half. After receiving a through ball from Báez, he broke into the box and beat the goalkeeper with his shot, only to see the ball strike the post. He continued making runs and attempting to create opportunities, but Atlanta's inability to maintain possession limited how often he would be involved. His crosses struggled to find teammates.

Alexey Miranchuk

Miranchuk had one of his poorest performances in recent matches. He was virtually absent during the first half, rarely receiving the ball in positions where he could influence Atlanta's attack. His passing offered little connection between midfield and the forwards. He became more involved in the second half, sending a couple of balls into the box, but neither produced a meaningful opportunity. His best individual opening came when he drove past a defender towards the box. He took too long to get his shot away, allowing New York to recover and dispossess him. Atlanta needed Miranchuk to provide creativity, but he struggled throughout the match.

Breel Embolo

Embolo recorded only 16 touches during the first half, illustrating just how rarely Atlanta managed to involve its center forward. He occasionally dropped deeper to see more of the ball, but his passes rarely resulted in much. He sent one early shot wide and later delivered a cross that allowed Jacob to attempt a shot.

Embolo was visibly frustrated when subbed off

The Subs

Cooper Sanchez

Sanchez replaced Muyumba shortly after the hour, and Atlanta subsequently enjoyed a brief improvement in midfield possession. However, his individual contribution was dominated by repeated fouls rather than effective passing. His challenge just outside the box eventually gave New York the free kick that Marshall-Rutty converted for the third goal.

Jay Fortune

Fortune was one of the few Atlanta substitutes who showed some urgency after entering the match. He worked to move the ball forward and help Atlanta regain control of midfield. He had intensity, but little else.

Matt Edwards

Edwards replaced Báez in the second half. He didn't impress.

Luke Brennan

Brennan entered with only a few minutes remaining and was involved in one late attacking sequence. His introduction came far too late for him to have any real influence on the match.

Sérgio Santos

Santos replaced Embolo late in the second half and had virtually no time to contribute. His only involvement was a near through ball which bounced off him from behind.

The Coach

Tata Martino

With Atlanta already eliminated from playoff contention and playing its final match of the season, Martino had an opportunity to give younger players and reserves meaningful minutes. Instead, he selected nearly the same starting lineup, making Hibbert the only change. Those starters responded with a poor performance. Martino made no halftime adjustments to the personnel and waited until the standard 60th minute to introduce Sanchez. Even after New York doubled its lead, he was slow to make further changes. Brennan and Santos received only a few minutes. He again left subs on the bench.