Player ratings as Alec Kann haunts former club

Atlanta United and FC Cincinnati played out an entertaining 0-0 draw at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday evening.

As expected, the Five Stripes dominated the match, outshooting the visitors 23-9 and controlling 65% possession, but Cincy still managed a few dangerous moments through the likes of Luciano Acosta and Brenner.

Still, Atlanta United turned the screw in the second half, especially after Nick Hagglund’s red card. It looked like they’d finally found the breakthrough on 60 minutes when Caleb Wiley ghosted through the Cincinnati defense and set up Ronaldo Cisneros, whose effort was blocked by the hand of Dom Badji.

But former Atlanta United goalkeeper Alec Kann had other ideas, getting down to his left to stop Marcelino Moreno’s penalty. That was just one of a number of huge saves Kann made on the night, denying the likes of Thiago Almada and Andrew Gutman to hold onto a precious clean sheet and point.

The draw sees both sides recover from defeats last time out, although Atlanta United will certainly feel frustration at not taking all three points at home.

Read on for full player ratings from the match:

Brad Guzan (GK) – 6/10 – Solid distribution and mopped up well behind his defense. Forced out in the second half through what could be a very serious injury.

Brooks Lennon (RB) – 8/10 – Was a good outlet for Atlanta on the right, stretching the field and testing the Cincinnati defense. Final ball just wasn’t quite accurate enough.

George Campbell (CB) – 4/10 – Was adequate defensively but had some shocking moments on the ball and put his team in trouble on a number of occasions.

Miles Robinson (CB) – 7/10 – Far more secure on the ball than Campbell and was solid enough to stop a dangerous Cincinnati attack.

Andrew Gutman (LB) – 4/10 – Full of energy but missed his mark with the final ball. Allowed a little too much space behind him for Cincinnati counter-attacks. Missed two golden chances at the end.

Santiago Sosa (CM) – 7/10 – Recycled the ball well for Atlanta United with some precise, progressive passing. Made a couple of vital defensive interventions, too.

Amar Sejdic (CM) – 5/10 – Didn’t do anything seriously wrong, but was too slow and safe with the ball. Had options to get Atlanta United forward quickly but hesitated.

Marcelino Moreno (CM) – 5/10 – Played a few dangerous passes and took the game to Cincy but will be cursing that missed penalty.

Caleb Wiley (RW) – 8/10 – Showed a couple of flashes of absolute brilliance, including beating three Cincy defenders to win a penalty in the second half. Wiley is a serious talent.

Ronaldo Cisneros (ST) – 5/10 – Stretched the Cincinnati defense with some smart movement and strong runs, but was starved of service. Still working his way into Atlanta’s system.

Thiago Almada (LW) – 8/10 – A cut above the rest in terms of quality. Atlanta United always looked dangerous when Almada had the ball and he came close a couple of times.

Bobby Shuttleworth (for Guzan, 74 minutes) – 6/10 – Made an unexpected debut and didn’t really have anything to do.

Luiz Araujo (for Wiley, 74 minutes) – 7/10 – An exciting cameo off the bench. Gonzalo Pineda will be delighted to have the Brazilian back.

Dom Dwyer (for Cisneros, 80 minutes) – 5/10 – Didn’t have time to change the game.

Emerson Hyndman (for Sejdic, 80 minutes) – 5/10 – Great to see Hyndman back on the pitch after so long out.

Jake Mulraney (for Sosa, 90 minutes) – 5/10 – Couldn’t come up with another late winner.

Alec Kann (GK) – 10/10 – Made some huge saves to deny his former club, including a Moreno penalty down to his left. FC Cincinnati can thank Kann for this hard-earned point.

Raymon Gaddis (RWB) – 5/10 – Didn’t get too involved on the ball and was worked hard as Atlanta United attacked heavily down their left.

Nick Hagglund (CB) – 3/10 – Got through some good defensive work but put his side under real pressure by getting sent off.

Ian Murphy (CB) – 6/10 – Kept his defending simple but very, very effective.

Tyler Blackett (CB) – 7/10 – Dominant in the air and on the ground. Not much got past Blackett.

Dom Badji (LWB) – 5/10 – Played several different roles to a decent level but almost unraveled his side’s efforts by giving away a penalty with a handball.

Yuya Kubo (CM) – 6/10 – Industrious and had a couple of creative moments but had to be withdrawn after picking up a yellow card.

Junior Moreno (CM) – 6/10 – Had to focus more on defending than playing, but did his job well.

Luciano Acosta (CAM) – 8/10 – By far Cincy’s biggest threat and came close with a couple of efforts. Always looked to create and split the Atlanta defense open.

Brandon Vazquez (ST) – 5/10 – Not the goalscoring return to Atlanta Vazquez wanted. Too isolated to get into the game.

Brenner (ST) – 6/10 – An improved performance from Brenner, who dropped in to link play regularly and connected well with his teammates.

John Nelson (for Gaddis, 65 minutes) – 5/10 – Didn’t get to grips with Araujo down Cincinnati’s left flank.

Haris Medunjanin (for Kubo, 74 minutes) – 6/10 – Added some composure to the Cincinnati midfield.

Alvaro Barreal (for Acosta, 82 minutes) – 5/10 – Didn’t get into the game.

Nick Markanich (for Brenner, 82 minutes) – 6/10 – Won a couple of duels and helped see out the draw.