New York City vs Atlanta United player ratings

New York City FC player ratings are determined by Hudson River Blue readers: Here are your NYCFC player ratings after the dramatic 2-2 draw with Atlanta United at The Benz.

A depleted New York City FC squad salvaged a point after a comeback late in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The score sat at 2-0 to Atlanta at halftime, and it looked as though NYCFC would be leaving with no points after an embarrassing performance. 

Come the final whistle, this was not the case. New York City scored two second-half goals through the unlikeliest of heroes, Monsef Bakrar and Talles Magno. Both are some of the few bright spots in the player ratings this time around. 

Head Coach Nick Cushing shook things up with the Starting XI Wednesday night after the squad struggled to find the right chemistry together in the first half, and that’s reflected in your player ratings: You awarded eight starters a score under 6.0. You were particularly harsh with Agustín Ojeda, giving him an atrocious 4.1 even though his Fotmob rating was a decent 6.1.

Alongside Bakrar and Talles Magno, Matt Freese and Maxi Moralez were given player ratings above 7.0, as all four were key in turning things around for New York City. Andrés Perea and James Sands were sorely missed, as the midfield pivot of Keaton Parks and Justin Haak took a while to grow into the game — they were awarded a 6.7 from FotMob, but received a 5.7 and 5.1 respectively from you.

Note: FotMob ratings are in parentheses.

New York City earn three-point draw in Atlanta

Mounsef Bakrar and Talles Magno unlikely heroes to come through for New York City FC in 2-2 draw with Atlanta United.

Hudson River BlueOliver Strand

Player Spotlight

Matt Freese

Matt Freese’s high-quality performances are now the norm. The most consistent player for NYCFC this season delivered again and was vital to preventing Atlanta from running away with all three points. 

The most impressive part of Freese’s game last night was his resiliency. He bounced back after being involved in Atlanta’s second goal, where his save attempt fell right to Saba Lobzhandze for an easy tap-in. He went on to make seven saves on the night.

The goalkeeper’s highlight of the game came in the 85th minute when a looping ball found the head of Atlanta substitute Jamal Thiaré, forcing Freese to dive and claw the ball out from over the line to stop what looked like the winning goal for Atlanta. This along with two more key saves deep into stoppage time earned Freese a rating of 8.2 from you. 

After the game, Head Coach Nick Cushing had high praises for his stellar goalkeeper. “I think he’s been the best goalkeeper across both conferences this season,” said Cushing. 

Player of the Match

Talles Magno

Let me just say, I don’t think any of us were expecting to say the words “Player of the Match” and “Talles Magno” in the same sentence going into Wednesday night’s game against Atlanta. But it sure feels great to do just that.

After being cast out of the squad for months and talks of a potential departure, Talles Magno is back in the team with a bang.

Subbed in midway through the second half, this was Talles Magno’s first appearance since opening day on February 24, when he made a six-minute cameo against Charlotte FC. Within an instant of his stepping onto the field, the flow of the game changed. Talles Magno’s ability and calmness on the ball brought the spark New York City needed to get back into the game. 

In the 82nd minute, Talles Magno burst into the box, taking on Atlanta defenders before he was dragged down by right back Brooks Lennon and earned a penalty. Talles Magno grabbed the ball to take it himself, stepped up, and confidently put it in the back of the net to even the score at 2-2. The goal was Talles Magno’s first since the previous Major League Soccer season, scoring in a win against Orlando City on Sept. 20, 2023. 

After being excited by his performance Wednesday night, it’s fair to ask the question, what should we expect with Magno going forward? Is this a sign that he’ll be integrated back into the squad? Or was Cushing just desperate for a result with a depleted bench?

Those answers will be answered in time, but it sure was nice seeing Magno out on the pitch again on Wednesday night. 

Turning back to Talles Magno pays off for NYCFC in Atlanta

When most MLS teams are shorthanded like New York City FC was in Atlanta, they don’t get results. Most MLS teams don’t have the bench options still available to Nick Cushing despite injuries, rotations, and suspensions.

Hudson River BlueAndrew Leigh