Alexey Miranchuk had his most productive outing since he became a 5-Stripe, tallying a penalty kick goal plus an assist in Atlanta United's season-saving 2-1 win over New York Red Bulls on Saturday night.
For his two goal contributions, the league rewarded the midfielder with an appearance on MLS Team of the Matchday, announced Monday afternoon.
This is Miranchuk's first time appearing in the starting XI on the league's weekly list of top performers. He previously made the bench on September 19 for his game-tying goal in Atlanta United's come-from-behind draw against Inter Miami CF and Lionel Messi.
Miranchuk scored the opening goal in Atlanta's most recent home win against Red Bulls on October 5. Much like his first PK goal of the season on September 21, incidentally against the same Red Bulls team, Jamal Thiaré drew the foul inside the box that led to the penalty kick. Right in front of his home supporters, Miranchuk stepped up and delivered with his left foot into the lower right hand corner.
Not only did Miranchuk convert his third goal for Atlanta United, his second on a penalty kick, he also assisted Atlanta's second goal. Homegrown Tyler Wolff, who entered the match in the second half as a substitute, received Miranchuk's pass and sealed Atlanta's win with a goal in added time.
On Saturday, Miranchuk led Atlanta United in shots (5) and shots on goal inside the box (3). He also led the team in expected goals (1.24).
What pops out about Miranchuk is not only his ability to take shots, but his distribution. The midfielder's pass to Wolff was a perfectly placed through ball. The Homegrown dribbled into the box and tucked away a shot in the bottom right corner in the 97th minute with New York down to 10 men.
"I know Alexey has a really nice left foot, so I know being a man down, they're throwing a lot forward," Wolff said after Saturday's match. "[I was] just trying to get that second goal. Once I was in on goal, I'm trying to stay calm in the 1v1, make sure the goalie is set before I chose my side."
Miranchuk has displayed his quality in a short amount of time. The midfielder joined the club this summer, and in his eight MLS appearances since, he's grown more comfotable, adapting to the style of play of Major League Soccer, which he considers different than what he played previously in Europe.
He's made a positive impact on Atlanta's attack, which he was brought in to do as the marquee signing of the club's summer transfer window. Now, Miranchuk's performance has helped keep his team in the hunt for a postseason berth with one regular season match remaining.
"We can only control what we can," interim head coach Rob Valentino said in his postmatch press conference. "The next match is Orlando City away, and we need to go and try to win the match and continue putting pressure on other teams."
