Player Ratings: New England Revolution at Sporting Kansas City

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 Sean Donahue and Brian O’Connell contributed ratings for the New England Revolution’s 0-0 draw at Sporting Kansas City.

Matt Reis – Average Rating: 6.25 (Brian 6.5, Sean 6)
Aside from a couple of shaky second half sequences, the veteran keeper commanded his box well and put together one of his strongest performances of the season. Brilliant save on Peterson’s header in the 52nd minute. (Brian) … Some great saves to get the shutout, but also had a few moments where he spied the ball and was perhaps lucky not to pay for it. (Sean)

Darrius Barnes – Average Rating: 5.5 (Brian 5.5, Sean 5.5)
Played a physical brand of football, but tended to get beat on the flank. Even so, strong in the air, and was a definite presence early. (Brian) … Held his own on the left flank, though he didn’t venture forward for the most part and picked up a deserved yellow card. (Sean)

A.J. Soares – Average Rating: 6.5 (Brian 6.5, Sean 6.5)
Excellent in the air and actually played a few nice ball forward. In synch with Joseph to curtail the K.C attack in the heart of the defending third. (Brian) … Some smart passing out of the back to help the Revs in transistion and held strong against K.C.’s forwards all night. (Sean)

Stephen McCarthy – Average Rating: 6.25 (Brian 6.5, Sean 6)
Copy and paste the rating from Soares rating, then add some bold aerial challenges on Sapong. Makes you wonder what the Revs could’ve done against K.C. on Mar. 17. (Brian) … Showed how much the Revs missed him with a solid outing until leaving injured. (Sean)

Kevin Alston – Average: 5 (Brian 5.5, Sean 4.5)
Solid all night but added nothing to the attack. Temps may have limited his effectiveness in the final third, but wild shot early was a headscratcher. (Brian) … Wasted an attack with a poor shot from distance, over hit a cross in another venture forward, and looked like Jacob Peterson was his mark and got free for Kansas City’s most dangerous chance of the night. Otherwise got the job done defensively. (Sean)

Chris Tierney – Average Rating: 5.75 (Brian 5.5, Sean 6)
May not have been the most effective in the midfield, but service was acceptable. Certainly tended to his defensive responsibilities more than pushing it forward. (Brian) … Probably should’ve had an assist with a late dangerous free kick to the far post that Saer Sene wasted. Also set up Benny Feilhaber for his botched first half chance and played a key role helping Barnes defensively, even if he didn’t always have a huge impact on the offense. (Sean).

Shalrie Joseph – Average Rating: 6.5 (Brian 6.5, Sean 6.5)
Bolstered the defense by assuming Simms’ role to perfection. Cleaned up the messes in the rear and gave the Revs some much-needed leadership. (Brian) … For 78 minutes did an impressive job assuring Kansas City’s possession advantage didn’t lead to chances and playing smart passes to help the Revs in transition while almost completely avoiding turnovers. Moved back to defense with McCarthy’s injury with 12 minutes to go and did an admirable job holding down the fort the rest of the way. (Sean)

Benny Feilhaber – Average Rating: 5.5 (Brian 5.5, Sean 5.5)
Looked dangerous early before laying back as the second half neared its conclusion. 67th minute free kick could’ve been converted had Joseph put in a little extra effort to outmuscle his defenders. (Brian) …  Great pass to set up Ryan Guy early, but then scuffed a chance of his own in the 26th minute. Service was generally good, though he did have some giveaways near midfield. (Sean)

Kelyn Rowe – Average Rating: 4.5 (Brian 4.5, Sean 4.5)
Another anonymous appearance. First half form faded in the second half before he was subbed off. (Brian) … Very few touches and when he did, couldn’t get much going offensively. Caught flat-footed on Peterson’s early chance. (Sean)

Lee Nguyen – Average Rating: 5.75 (Brian 6, Sean 5.5)
Active in the attack, found teammates and offered support as well. In other words, it was a typical night at office. (Brian) … Kansas City did a good job of quieting Nguyen after his strong showing on Wednesday. Good corner kick led to Ryan Guy’s headed chance and looked dangerous late. (Sean)

Ryan Guy – Average Rating: 5.75 (Brian 5.5, Sean 6)
Early firecracker was the best Guy had to offer, but playing out of position, give him credit for what few chances he could offer. However, he fell silent when Sene came on before the hour. (Brian) … Looked dangerous early with a good run and shot forcing an early save and a diving header nearly crossing the line before being pushed away. Impact faded as the match went on, though he did a solid job wherever he was asked to play as the subs came on. (Sean)

(sub) Saer Sene – Average Rating: 4.5 (Brian 4.5, Sean 4.5)
It could be confidence. It could be technique. Whatever it is, Sene is lacking it. Neither of his two shots came remotely close to frame. (Brian) … Finishing was awful and looked indecisive going forward on the wing. Credit for some solid effort defensively. (Sean)

(sub) Fernando Cardenas – Average Rating: 5 (Brian 5, Sean 5)
Sneaky moves in the attacking third offered mild chances for the attack. If he could just figure out how to hone his accuracy on frame… (Brian) … Provided a spark off the bench as usual, but finishing let him down.

(sub) Blake Brettschneider – Average Rating: 4.5 (Brian 4.5, Sean 4.5)
Passing wasn’t particularly sharp, but by the time he came on in the 78th minute, the Revs were already contemplating the draw. (Brian) … Passed on a good shooting opportunity in the box and didn’t add much to the attack outside of winning a few headers. (Sean)

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