Shot-handed defense pleased with effort

‘They’ve got a dynamic attack up top and I thought we neutralized them well.’

Michael Parkhurst

United centerback

Starting together as a group for the first time in an MLS game, Atlanta United’s six defenders thought they performed well in Wednesday’s 1-1 draw at New England in Gillette Stadium.

Because of a yellow card accumulation suspension to centerback Leandro Gonzalez Pirez and a red card given to left fullback Greg Garza in the previous game, Atlanta United’s back six was composed of Mikey Ambrose at left wingback, Chris McCann, Michael Parkhurst and Franco Escobar at centerback, Julian Gressel at right wingback and Jeff Lar

entowicz shielding them as the defensive midfielder.

Esc o bar (chest) and McCann (hamstring) were returning from injuries that prevented them from play- ing in the past few games.

Garza is going to miss the next 4-6 months after undergoing shoulder surgery.

The group limited the Revs to nine shots, six on target, none as dangerous as some

of Atlanta United’s chances. New England’s only threat on goal came on the pen- alty call in the 88th minute.

“I thought overall it was go o d,” Parkhurst said. “They’ve got a dynamic attack up top and I thought we neutralized them well.” Penalty not reviewed: Atlanta United manager Gerardo Martino and some of his players weren’t the only ones who t ho u ght a questionable penalty resulted in Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with New England.

Revs manager Brad Frie- del also described it as such.

“The Dallas game, I felt the whistle should’ve blown,” he said. “And in the Vancouver game, I felt the whistle should’ve blown. Maybe this is the turn of a couple of decisions going our way as the next couple weeks come up. Now that we got the penalty, we got the draw, we have to look for three points against [New York]

Red Bulls.”

On the deciding play, Atlanta United midfielder Kevin Kratz appeared to brush the back of New England’s Krisztian Nemeth’s legs in the penalty box in the 88th minute. Referee Silviu Petrescu immediately called a penalty, despite Atlanta United’s players pleading with him.

“I think we deserved it,” Nemeth said. “I saw the (defender) have a mistake, (not) kick the ball out. So I have a chance to take the ball and he made a foul. I think it was a penalty.” by All the penalties Video Assistant are reviewed Referee. The referees have the final say. Petrescu declined to look at the replay system to confirm if the call was correct. Teal Bunbury took the penalty and tied the game at 1-1.