It was a challenging week for Atlanta United, who, after traveling to 2nd-place NYC, headed to Columbus to face the other side nipping at their heels in the Eastern Conference. But the Five Stripes kept their unbeaten road streak alive, taking all three points from the Crew thanks to the veteran leadership of captain Michael Parkhurst, central midfielder Jeff Larentowicz and head coach Tata Martino, who were all named to the MLS Team of the Week after the midweek victory.
Parkhurst's intelligent, strong and composed play continues to prove that he's aging backwards, enjoying one of his best seasons of all-time in central defense at the age of 34 and captaining the second-year club to the top of the Supporters' Shield standings. Meanwhile, fellow MLS veteran Jeff Larentowicz is doing all the same, bringing a wealth of experience and a bulldog mentality to the center of the park. He was named Man of the Match in Wednesday's win with 4 tackles, 10 recoveries and 75% tackles won.
Head coach Tata Martino has his side not only playing the electric, attacking soccer that they've wooed the league with since last year, but this season has them earning the tough results on the road. ATL UTD holds the best road record in MLS in 2018, now unbeaten in seven away matches after dropping their season opener at Houston, Their ability to play attractively when it's on but grind out the tough ones as they come – that's why Atlanta United sits atop the table 16 matches into the season.
The full MLS Team of the Week:
