Houston Dynamo at Atlanta United player ratings

(image via Houston Dynamo FC)

For the second game in a row, the Dynamo have tied a match 2-2 on the road, this time against the coach-less Atlanta United. Let’s take a look at how everyone performed.

Starters

Steve Clark-3

Clark was poor in his first game back from injury. On the first goal, there was not a whole lot he could have done, but the second goal was just not good enough. Keepers should not be getting beat from that tight of an angle, regardless of how powerful the shot was. Late in the game he hesitated and decided not to claim a lofted free kick allowing Atlanta an easy shot that was not taken.

Griffin Dorsey-6

Dorsey was the toughest player to rate this match as he was dreadful in some moments and the best player on the field in others. The defending was not good enough particularly on the second goal where he backheeled the ball straight to Xande Silva. Going forward, he was the most dangerous player on the Dynamo, continuously getting in great positions and putting in good service. He played a huge role in both goals. Ezequiel Ponce would’ve loved to get on the end of some of those deliveries.

Erik Sviatchenko-7

Erik had a really solid performance where he did not make any major mistakes. He was steady in the back defensively and in possession. There is not a whole lot to discuss here, just a solid routine performance from the veteran.

Micael-2

None of what was said about Sviatchenko can be said about Micael. The Brazilian was dreadful in possession with multiple poor giveaways. There was not anything he could have done worse on the first goal Atlanta scored.

Franco Escobar-8

What a difference in the way this team plays when Franco Escobar is back in the starting lineup. He was excellent again in almost every aspect. He scored a terrific goal following up on a rebound. You love to see him holding players accountable when they make silly mistakes like Clark did at the end of the match.

Artur-7

You can almost copy and paste what was said about Erik Sviatchenko here for Artur. This was his usual veteran performance where he barely puts a foot wrong and leads the team by example, being the hardest working man on the field.

Hector Herrera-8

Hector was everywhere once again. He made over 100 touches and had eleven shot creating actions. His passing was very direct and caused Atlanta all sorts of problems. His combination plays to set Dorsey free on multiple occasions was beautiful to watch.

Amine Bassi-7

Bassi was excellent off the ball, causing all sorts of problems for Atlanta while playing out of the back. On the ball, he had a good game but nothing to stand out a whole lot. He had some really nice moments with Coco and Hector.

Coco Carrasquilla-9 (MOTM)

Coco is in some serious form right now, following up his goal against Portland with a gorgeous assist and fantastic all-around performance. Most of the positive Dynamo attacks came down the right side where Coco and Dorsey combined to create chance after chance. His lofted ball to Blessing shows just how good Coco can be.

Aliyu Ibrahim-4

Not Aliyu’s best performance this year. He did not see a whole lot of the ball as most of the attacks went down the right side of the field. He was fine when he had the ball, but never really did anything to stand out or create an opportunity. Just a quiet game.

Sebastian Kowalczyk-4

Similar things can be said about Kowalczyk. He never saw a ton of the ball and never really did a whole lot when it came his way. He played really well defensively with Bassi, but did nothing dangerous enough in attack.

Substitutes

Latif Blessing-7

Latif Blessing continues to be the magic man off the bench whenever Ben Olsen needs a goal. He scored his goal really well but did not contribute much outside of that. His energy is exactly what you want to see from your winger coming off the bench.

Tate Schmitt-5

Tate came in for Sviatchenko to provide some more width and service, chasing a goal. He never really got as involved as Olsen would have liked, but never really made any mistakes either.

Sebas Ferreira-5

The same thing goes for Ferreira, who came on to chase a goal. He barely saw the ball and was just there to potentially get on the end of some service that never came his way.

Ethan Bartlow-N/A

Bartlow came on and barely even got a minute to play. They did not concede when he came on, so mission accomplished.

Head Coach

Ben Olsen-7

Ben’s team had a fine performance against a weak Atlanta team. It would have been nice to come home with a result, but we all know winning on the road is tough regardless of the opponent. There are lots of strong signs going forward that should only look stronger when Ponce enters the fray.