Player Ratings: New England Revolution at Columbus Crew

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 4-3 loss to the Columbus Crew.

Matt Reis – Average Rating: 4.25 (Brian 4.5, Sean 4)
With the defense employing a high line, Reis had to be sharp. Nothing he could do on Higuain’s rockets, but probably could have closed on Arrieta’s strikes quicker. (Brian) … Perhaps could’ve done a bit better on the first free kick and needs to do better to avoid getting beat on the near post on Arrietta’s first goal. (Sean)

Chris Tierney – Average Rating: 4.75 (Brian 5, Sean 4.5)
Not impressive on the ball early, but connected his passes at a decent rate (74.5%). Contributions to the attack were minimal. (Brian) … May have kept Jario Arrieta onside on the Crews second goal. Didn’t do much offensively despite getting forward and needing lots of help defensively, particularly from Simms early. (Sean)

A.J. Soares – Average Rating: 4.75 (Brian 5, Sean 4.5)
Avoided the mistakes that have plagued him in recent weeks, but did little to put his footprint on the defensive effort. (Brian) … Cut out the errors of recent weeks, but passing out of the back was lacking. (Sean)

Stephen McCarthy – Average Rating: 4 (Brian 4.5, Sean 3.5)
A surprisingly soft effort from one of the strongest defenders on the team. Harsh call on the foul that led to Higuain’s first free kick blast, but pretty much watched Arrieta cruise by en route to the game-winner. (Brian) … Two fouls, albeit somewhat soft calls gave the Crew two goals and who was he marking on Arrieta’s goal? Had some issues with Arrieta all game. (Sean)

Kevin Alston – Average Rating: 4.5(Brian 4.5, Sean 4.5)
Looked decent in the rear, but venturing forward was another reminder of his fading form inside the attacking third. (Brian) … After witnessing the success of the Crew on early free kicks, the unneeded foul and yellow card in the 70th minute wasn’t smart. Still a mostly solid defensive showing, though passing wasn’t great and sharpness in the attack lacked again. (Sean)

Benny Feilhaber – Average Rating: 5.5 (Brian 5.5, Sean 5.5)
Stationed out on the left, the attacking prowess returned; service was much sharper, but continues to be prone to making some really questionable challenges in the defending third. (Brian) … Some solid work defensively and some dangerous passes offensively, including setting up Bengtson’s goal. (Sean)

Ryan Guy – Average Rating: 5.75 (Brian 5.5, Sean 6)
Missed an absolute sitter early, but rebounded nicely to score from distances minutes later. Brought the offensive spark the attack has desperately needed. (Brian) … Good energy offensively, but mixed night in terms of the results. Needs to do better on the early header, but did well to set-up Sene’s 15th minute header and then score his first goal of the season soon after. Wasted another great chance in the 31st minute. Held back after Simms was subbed out, but still got forward late and looked dangerous. (Sean)

Clyde Simms – Average Rating: 4.25 (Brian 4, Sean 4.5)
Made all the passes he needed to, but with the Crew owning the ball for much of the second half, he seemed indifferent to making himself a disruptive presence in the middle of the park. (Brian) … Did a lot of work defensively early, but didn’t do enough to make his mark on the game as the Crew began to run wild halfway through the first 45. (Sean)

Kelyn Rowe – Average Rating: 4.25 (Brian 4, Sean 4.5)
Nice lay-off on Guy’s goal, and should’ve scored seconds after Higuain’s first goal; passing (66.7%) and on the ball stuff was lacking before he predictably vanished in the second half. (Brian) … Great opening 20 minutes, but seemed significantly less sharp the rest of the match. (Sean)

Saer Sene – Average Rating: 4.5 (Brian 4.5, Sean 4.5)
Could’ve scored the opener in the 15th on a ball from Guy. Played a good ball through to Feilhaber in the 51st minute; but with only one shot on target all night, he clearly wasn’t as involved as he should’ve been. (Brian) … Got that assist on Guy’s goal, though it’s unclear if that’s who he was even looking for on the play. A few dangerous passes, but Revs needed more from him, particularly in the second half. (Sean)

Jerry Bengtson – Average Rating: 5.25 (Brian 5, 5.5)
Impressive move on Gruenebaum to slot home his second goal of the season; positioning was there, but still seems to lack cohesion with Sene and the rest of the midfield. Could’ve done better on his shot in stoppage time. (Brian) … Great work on his goal and provided a needed constant presence up top. Combined well with Fagundez when he came on. (Sean)

(sub) Lee Nguyen – Average Rating: 5 (Brian 5, Sean 5)
Strung a few passes through and stepped up to bury the penalty; good outing, but certainly didn’t look 100%. (Brian) … Clearly still feeling the effects of his injury, but played smart passes and looked confident on the penalty kick, even if he didn’t attempt to beat many players on the dribble. (Sean)

(sub) Diego Fagundez – Average Rating: 5.5 (Brian 5.5, Sean 5.5)
Did exactly what he was brought on to do – become a pest for the Crew defense. Forced James to foul him inside the 18, which led the Nguyen’s 81st minute equalizer from the spot. (Brian) … Good job earning the penalty kick and fought hard all game, though he needed to do more with the pass in the box from Cardenas. (Sean)

(sub) Fernando Cardenas – Average Rating: 4.75 (Brian 4.5, Sean 5)
Flashed a few moments of creativity, but for the most part, wasn’t doing much to sharpen the attack. (Brian) … Set up Fagundez for a good chance in the 82nd minute and generally provided a spark off the bench. Through pass to Rowe was just a bit too powerful, but a good idea. (Sean)

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