Player Ratings: New England Revolution at Toronto FC

Benny Feilhaber helped spark the offense to life in the second half against Toronto. (Photo: Chris Aduama/aduama.com)

After each match the contributors to New England Soccer Today will rate the performances of the New England Revolution players who made an appearance on a 1 to 10 scale (1 horrendous, 5 average, 10 perfection). This week Brian O’Connell and Sean Donahue contributed ratings for the New England Revolution’s 2-2 draw with Toronto FC.

Matt Reis – Average Rating: 4.75 (Brian 5, Sean 4.5)
Obvious miscommunication on the Koevermans goal, but delivered as the game progressed with key saves and good distribution. Little he could do on Johnson’s strike. (Brian) … Made some good saves, but clear miscommunication caught him on the first goal and didn’t react to Koevermans miss to try to get in position for Johnson’s header, though he likely had no chance either way. (Sean)

Chris Tierney – Average Rating: 6.25 (Brian 6, Sean 6.5)
Set pieces leave a little to be desired despite a sensational effort in the 74th minute. However, his 81.6% pass completion rate and game-tying goal made him indispensable. (Brian) … Excellent work to get forward for the equalizer and was heavily involved all match with smart passing. Had a great free kick shot, but overall set pieces were inconsistent. (Sean)

A.J. Soares – Average Rating: 3.75 (Brian 4, Sean 3.5)
Horrid first half – which saw him lost on both Toronto goals – gave way to a stronger performance in the second half. Still, a center back of his talent has to do better on those crosses. (Brian) … Passing out of the back was solid, but made uncharacteristic errors on both TFC goals. (Sean)

Stephen McCarthy – Average Rating: 6.5 (Brian 6.5. Sean 6.5)
Another strong performance, not only because of his defensive efforts, but chipping in with offensive chances near Kocic. Becoming more of a presence every week, it seems. (Brian) … Unlucky not to get a goal with a pair of great efforts getting forward. Held strong defensively, including a great recovery to get back and block a shot from the speedy Johnson. (Sean)

 Kevin Alston – Average: 5 (Brian 5.5, Sean 4.5)
Made a couple of key clearances and helped plug some holes early, but form in attacking third looked tentative. Unfortunate to pick up knock. (Brian) … Picked up an unnecessary early yellow and was perhaps lucky not to get a second on the effort that lead to his injury. Made few nice recoveries getting back, though he was caught forward a couple times. Completed just 62% of passes and struggled in the final third. (Sean)

Lee Nguyen – Average Rating: 5.5 (Brian 5.5, Sean 5.5)
Provided the usual spark, but became somewhat predictable by cutting inside near the 18. Still, connecting on 91% of his passes (51 of 56) ain’t shabby. Ain’t shabby at all. (Brian) … Didn’t show all the flash he often does, but quietly put in a solid performance with smart passing, despite good coverage by Toronto. (Sean)

Clyde Simms – Average Rating: 6.25 (Brian 6.5, Sean 6)
Organized well and helped the Revolution to a 63% possession rate in the first half. Even down two goals, Simms kept the Revs level before he was subbed off. (Brian) … Typical Simms performance, smart passing and good job clogging the passing lanes, but nothing too fancy. Perhaps should’ve done more with the rebound on McCarthy’s header at the end of the first half. (Sean)

Benny Feilhaber – Average Rating: 6.5 (Brian 6, Sean 7)
Threaded the ball through some narrow lanes early, and nearly scored in the 88th minute before he was denied by the post. One of his strongest performances this season. (Brian) … Really came alive in the second half. Some excellent passing to create chances for his teammates and some good dribbling to create chances for himself. Good shot that led to Brettschneider’s goal and unlucky to be denied by the post late, though he should’ve done better with his wide open header earlier in the game. (Sean)

Kelyn Rowe – Average Rating:  5 (Brian 5, Sean 5)
Found chances, but they often collapsed before he could capitalize. Would’ve liked to see him do more inside the attacking third. (Brian) … Struggled to make an impact at times, though he did well getting into the box on his second half chance. (Sean).

Diego Fagundez – Average Rating: 5.25 (Brian 5, Sean 5.5)
Encouraging start with smart dribbles, and nearly pulled one back in the 17th minute. Didn’t make a huge impact, but certainly aided the attack. (Brian) … Some good runs and solid passing, particularly in the early going, but was pushed off the ball a bit too easily at times. (Sean)

Saer Sene – Average Rating: 4.5 (Brian 4.5, Sean 4.5)
It was another one of those games. Chances abound for Sene, but poor finishing leaves him empty-handed. Still prone to overthinking inside the 18. (Brian) … Not his night. Had chances, but couldn’t take them and vision was poor when he had teammates available. (Sean)

(sub) Flo Lechner – Average Rating: 6 (Brian 6, Sean 6)
Added life to the attack on the right, and lifted the cross on the equalizer, but his passing accuracy 57.5% (23 for 40) and defending left something to be desired. (Brian) … Had the team’s only two successful crosses from the run of play, including the one that led to the equalizer, and really changed the game offensively. Passing, however, wasted great, and failed to close on Morgan’s cross that led to Toronto’s second goal. (Sean)

(sub) Blake Brettschneider – Average: 5.5 (Brian 5.5, Sean 5.5)
Did what Sene couldn’t do – find the back of the net. Missed on half of his passes, but positioning was good nevertheless.  (Brian) … Came off the bench to score the goal that cut TFC’s lead in half, though he didn’t make much of an impact the rest of his time on the field. (Sean)

(sub) Fernando Cardenas – Average Rating: 5.5 (Brian 5.5, Sean 5.5)
Threw himself into the thick of the attack and fearlessly went into a challenge to earn a free kick. (Brian) … Provided a spark off the bench and earned a dangerous free kick. (Sean)

2 Comments